Michigan local governments increasingly pursue placemaking for economic development

January 2014

This report presents Michigan local government leaders’ opinions regarding the community and economic development strategy known as placemaking, and its use by Michigan jurisdictions. By engaging in placemaking, policymakers attempt to capitalize on local assets in order to create appealing and unique places where people want to live, work, and play. When used for economic development, placemaking seeks to help a community attract and retain talented workers and the businesses that seek them. The findings in this report are based on statewide surveys of local government leaders in the Spring 2013 and Spring 2009 waves of the Michigan Public Policy Survey (MPPS).