Community Projects
The Alliance for Economic Success is dedicated to providing Manistee County communities with opportunities to increase quality of life for all community members. The following links will demonstate the projects happening in Manistee County.
Check back often for updated information on exisitng projects and information on new projects.
Vogue Theatre Project
After the successful acquision of the Vogue Theatre by the Manistee Main Street Downtown Development Authority (MSDDA), the Alliance for Economic Success entered into a contract with the MSDDA to provide project management for the Vogue Theatre Project. Major tasks include a non-profit feasibility for the theater, leadership team formation, and committee coordination.
After the success formation of The Histotic Vogue Theatre of Manistee non-profit, the Board has issued a Request for Proposal (RFP). The RFP is seeking assistance with specified materials for the Capital Campaign.
Click below for the RFP, Capital Campaign information, and brochure from the kick-off event.
Vogue Theatre Capital Campaign RFP
Vogue Theatre Capital Campaign Information
Vogue Theatre Kick-Off Brochure
Understanding Wind Energy Initiative
The Understanding Wind Energy Initiative is a multi-faceted project to help communities better understand wind energy. The multiple parts of this project will help ensure communities are fully educated on all aspects of wind energy. To visit the Understanding Wind Initiative website, click here.
For project details, click here.
The project was kicked off in late 2010 when a number of township officials wanted more answers and information on wind energy and the developments being proposed in the townships they served. As a nuetral facilitator for a number of projects, AES was contacted to provide the support for this project. After securing a grant through the M.S. Mott Foundation a leadership team was formed that includes township officials in the proposed wind energy areas. These areas are Arcadia, Onekama, Bear Lake, and Pleasanton Townships in Manistee County and Joyfield and Blaine Townships in Benzie County. Gilmore Township in Benzie County has recently joined the iniative as well.
One of the major tasks the project will accomplish is answering all of the questions residents, stakeholders, and other interested parties have on wind energy. AES held 4 different community forums where participants were able to submit any and all questions they have on wind energy. In addition, questions were received through fax, email, regular mail, and drop boxes located throughout both counties. Through this process over 22 pages of questions on wind energy were received.
The Michigan Association of Planning (MAP) was contracted through AES to help find nuetral experts who would be able to provide scientific, fact-based answers to all of the questions. The reccommendations from MAP were received by the leadership team, who selected a research team from Macalester College (St. Paul, MN). The research team is being led by Drs. Roopali Phadke and Christie Manning.
As part of the project, Phadke and Manning intoduced the idea of holding a Wind Energy Landscape Symposium to the leadership team. Through a National Science Foundation grant secured by Phadke, the symposium is intended to gain perspective on individuals' feelings toward wind development in their communities. The symposium was held on July 6 had 23 participants that were randomly selected and accounted for a diverse group of individuals.
For more information on Dr. Phadke, please click here.
For more information on Dr. Manning, please click here.
For the completed Wind Energy Landscape Symposium Final Report, please click here. For the report appendix, please click here.
For the results of the final Wind Energy Survey Report, click here.
For the draft report of answers to wind energy questions submitted, click here.
For the full presentation of the three reports, click here.
Onekama Community Joint Master Plan
- Onekama Community Master Plan - Two-year collaborative initiative between the Village of Onekama and Onekama Township. Focused on common visions and goals, the plan enables Onekama Township and the Village of Onekama opportunites to achevie ecomony of scale.
- Final Evaluation - Evaluation on the Joint Master Plan performed by Draze Consulting, LLC.
Farm to School
The Frankfort-Elberta School District, Onekama Consolidated Schools, and a number of other participants will in a join in a cross county effort to bring healthy school meals to students. The Farm to School initiative is a realtively new approach to school meals across the country. In buying local, fresh food schools not only provide nutritious meals with variety for students, but they also support local farmers. The Farm to School program is being funded through a grant awarded by the USDA.
Click here to read the news release.
Onekama Coastal Parks
As part of the "Explore the Shores" initiative throughout Manistee County, preliminary engineering and design of Onekama community parks will take place. The project is being funded through a $34,000 grant from the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality Coastal Management program. The grant was awarded to the Alliance for Economic Success on behalf of the Portage Lake Watershed Council. Once completed, the Alliance for Economic Success will partner with the Onekama community to seek additional funds to complete the construction.
Below is the 5-year parks and recreation plan for the Portage Lake Community, as well as other documents regarding the Onekama community and surrounding areas. The community will be seeking Requests for Proposals to complete this project. All questions regarding the RFP can be directed to Jami Schneider at AES at 231-723-4325 or jami@allianceforeconomicsuccess.com
Portage Lake Community 5-year Plan for Parks and Recreation
- Letters of Transmittal
- Community Description
- Community Administrative Structures
- Parks and Recreation Inventory
- The Planning Process and Public Input
- Goals, Objectives, and Action Programs
- Appendix (Part 1)
- Appendix (Part 2)