Page 32 - LRCC September FOCUS 2023

ADVOCACY FOCUS MAGAZINE | SEPTEMBER 2023

Op-Ed: Regional Collaboration is Making a Difference

ix years ago, a bipartisan group package. We offer particular thanks for the outstanding
representing the Clinton, leadership of State Senator Sarah Anthony, chair of the
SEaton, and Ingham County Senate Appropriations Committee and State Rep. Angela
Boards of Commissioners as well Witwer, chair of the House Appropriations Committee.
as Michigan State University and
the Lansing Regional Chamber of Though CAPCOG represents a diverse group of
Commerce announced a landmark communities in the region, we share the view that
regional partnership: the Capital building a strong central city of Lansing is to the
Council of Government (CAPCOG). benefit of everyone in the tri-county area. The latest
CAPCOG’s mission is to work Showers announcement made by Lansing Mayor Andy Schor for
collaboratively to support regional $11.62 million reconstruction of the Michigan Avenue
economic development and growth Corridor has been a top priority for CAPCOG. This corridor
opportunities for the Greater is key to the overall economic development strategy of
Lansing region at the Michigan the region as it connects our state’s capital complex to
State Legislature. Michigan State University.

Through the years, CAPCOG has been
instrumental in crafting and executing CAPCOG has been instrumental
plans for the Lansing region to secure in crafting and executing
state funding for key infrastructure plans for the Lansing region
projects. Among recent projects Mott
that were secured was the Coleman to secure state funding for key
Road Extension, running along the infrastructure projects.
Ingham/Clinton County line, which is
proving to be helpful for traffic flow
in the area and opening exciting new In previous decades our region has struggled to get
development opportunities. CAPCOG beyond political turf struggles and partisan differences
also worked to secure funding for to achieve progress. CAPCOG continues to succeed in
the construction of the Heritage Hall breaking down those barriers. We are made up of elected
visitor center adjacent to the Michigan officials from both political parties and governments that
Capitol Building and two-way streets represent urban, suburban and rural interests. Yet, we
in downtown Lansing. Sebolt have managed to set all of that aside to achieve goals that
a few years ago might have been unthinkable.
Today, we are excited to report that CAPCOG, in
conjunction with numerous other local and state There is much more work to do, yet; CAPCOG’s track record
stakeholders has achieved an astounding record of of the past few years clearly proves that when we set aside
accomplishments that combined are taking our region to our differences and focus on common goals, there is not
“the next level.” limit to what we can achieve—together! l

The spending plan approved in the state legislature
and Governor Gretchen Whitmer included more than
$200 million in funding that was proposed in the Capital Robert Showers is chair of the Clinton County Board of
Regional Improvement Support package that was Commissioners. Jim Mott is chair of the Eaton County
developed by more than a dozen regional organizations. Board of Commissioners. Ryan Sebolt is chair of the
We owe a debt of gratitude to our local state lawmakers Ingham County Board of Commissioners.
for their bipartisan efforts to secure funding for this crucial

Chamber Events Your Connection to Professional Development
and Networking Success

From professional development to networking, the Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce
hosts events to fit every need. A full list of events is located on the Chamber Calendar on the
LRCC website.

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