MML November/December 2022 Review Magazine

Among the projects and ideas that participants hope to bring back to their communities are new approaches to waterfront development, public utilities, broadband service, downtown development and small businesses, and community events. Mayor Bocks notes that “Ludington has invested in significant waterfront development in recent years and there are opportunities in Holland to do this similarly.” Ludington Mayor Steve Miller also recognizes Holland’s “successfully executed community development projects” and says that information about funding options for such projects is something he hopes to share with his community. Ludington City Manager Mitch Foster highlights that both the Nature Playscape and Holland Energy Park are notable facilities. Foster describes the Nature Playscape as “really creative” and praises the Holland Energy Park for its “incredible impact on the entire community.” Also describing the work being done in Holland, Bulger calls their approach to public utilities “very impressive” and “not what [he] would have expected in a relatively small community.” He goes on to say that the engineering behind their snow melting sidewalks is “ingenious.” Winczewski describes Holland’s famous Tulip Time Festival to also be “very impressive” and enjoyed learning about the planning and execution of an event that size.

Ludington Mayor Steve Miller and Holland Mayor Nathan Bocks discuss their Community Exchange Day at a recent Michigan Association of Mayors meeting.

Overall, Ludington and Holland’s success was a result of “everyone involved in [the] exchange being on the same page as far as striving to reach the same goals for the betterment of the city and community,” says Johnson. Johnson also commends Holland on its ability to work together, saying that “whatever they are doing really seems to be working.” Questions about the Community Exchange program may be directed to Margaret Mooney at mmooney@mml.org. Margaret Mooney is a membership associate for the League. You may contact her at 734.669.6324 or mmooney@mml.org.

NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2022

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THE REVIEW