MML CapCon 2023 Program

Sarah Lucas, AICP Director, Office of Rural Development, Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development

Sarah Lucas, AICP, has worked in community and economic development in small communities and rural areas in Michigan for over 20 years, leading a variety of cross-sector initiatives and planning efforts that have resulted in long-lasting coalitions, local and state policy change, and enhanced regional capacity for growth and investment. Currently, she is the director of the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development’s Office of Rural Development.

Previously, she served as CEO of the Lake Superior Community Partnership, Marquette County’s primary economic development organization. Sarah also served as the founding executive director of Housing North; the Community Development Director for Networks Northwest; and as a pandemic economic development planner with the Western Upper Peninsula Planning and Development Region. Sarah has worked with several regional and statewide boards in membership and leadership roles, including the Community and Economic Development Association of Michigan, the Economic Development Leaders of Michigan, and the Michigan Association of Planning. She holds an undergraduate degree in Urban and Regional Planning from Eastern Michigan University and a master’s degree in Public Administration from Northern Michigan University. Sarah has a son in college at Northern Michigan University and loves travel, reading, and the beautiful lakes, rivers, and woods of Michigan. Kyle Melinn is the editor and Vice President of MIRS. A professional journalist for 30 years who has covered the state Capitol since 2001, Kyle regularly appears on Off the Record, ‘The Big Show’ with Michael Patrick Shiels and radio shows across the state. He hosts a weekly podcast called MIRS Monday, available at www.mirsnews.podbean.com or iTunes. Before MIRS, Kyle served as a freelance writer for the Boston Herald and as a senior editor for SchoolSports.com. He has also covered government and politics for the The Daily Citizen, in Dalton, Ga.; The Yuma Daily Sun, in Yuma, Ariz.; and the Towne Courier in East Lansing. Kyle has won several awards in Arizona, Georgia and Michigan. MIRS' biennial survey of its readers has Kyle ranked the "Most Effective" Michigan capital journalist in 2015, 2017, 2019 and 2021. He is a graduate of Michigan State University, who grew up in Byron Center. Kyle Melinn Editor, MIRS

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