Setting the Record Straight Last week, the Leelanau Enterprise ran a front-page article regarding the January 16th Empire Township Planning Committee meeting, during which the Sleeping Bear Gateway Council (SBGC) was invited to present the steps taken by the Council. The Enterprise carelessly reported on a meeting that its reporter did not attend, making false […]
In our efforts to create a better understanding, in addition to dispelling misinformation regarding SBGC’s efforts to establish attainable workforce housing, here are a few facts: Our proposal to the Glen Lake Community Schools (the“School”) is to utilize a small portion (40 acres) of the 180-acre parcel owned by the School located in Empire Township […]
The Glen Lake Community Schools (GLCS) have been given a rare opportunity to facilitate the development of both rental and homeownership opportunities for a diverse group of workforce families and households, such as teachers, firefighters, law enforcement, road commission, and other public sector employees. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has proposed a process that […]
Because there is a critical workforce housing shortage in Leelanau and Benzie Counties! According to Flywheel, Leelanau County has a projected workforce housing gap of 2,335 units, both for sale and rentals, through 2027. Closing the gap in workforce housing is critical in preserving the services we have come to rely upon. Without workforce housing, […]
The Sleeping Bear Gateways Council (SBGC) is a 501(c)3 non-profit providing information and assistance to stakeholders in the gateway communities in proximity to the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. Every person at SBGC is a volunteer and receives no compensation in any form for their dedicated services. Over the past several weeks, a great deal […]
Homeownership dreams are fading for many in lower Northwest Michigan, consisting of teachers, healthcare workers, first responders, tradesmen and families, plus many others who work in our local restaurants and businesses. As scenic beauty and recreational opportunities draw new residents and tourists, housing prices are skyrocketing, leaving local families and essential workers struggling to find […]
With a steadily growing influx of seasonal visitors to the area, a coordinated team of Glen Lake Community Schools’ officials, State Representative Coffia, State Senator Damoose, the Director and Chief Administrative Officer of the DNR, and SBGC representatives met in mid-September to discuss a proposal for the 180 acres of forest school property, owned by […]
Our gateway communities are real communities with schools, libraries, and senior services. A lack of affordable housing creates a variety of issues for business owners, municipalities, and local governments. They need year-round residents to staff stores and support local services. Without adequate and attainable housing for families, essential workers, and public sector employees, communities stagnate […]
It’s a story heard across the country, from Colorado ski towns to Key West to the Sleeping Bear Dunes region in northern Michigan. Not only do tourist communities need hospitality workers and entrepreneurs, but they need young families and essential workers to support the tax base, the schools, and public services. Permanent residents fill jobs […]