Elise Crafts

An Innovative Workforce Housing Solution

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,…
Elise Crafts

Why Is Sleeping Bear Gateways Council Focused on Workforce Housing?

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…
Elise Crafts

Important Update: Glen Lake Community Schools’ Housing Initiative Presentation

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…
Elise Crafts

HomeStretch: Making a Difference in NW Lower Michigan

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…
Elise Crafts

For Immediate Release: Workforce Housing Update

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,…

Workforce Housing: Why It Matters

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…

Workforce Housing: What It Is

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…
Pierce Stocking Scenic Overlook by Michigan Sea Grant

Sleeping Bear Gateways Council Annual Meeting: August 21, 2023

The Sleeping Bear Gateways Council (SBGC) will host its annual meeting as a virtual event on Zoom at 5:00 p.m. August 21. The session will feature updates on the group’s projects as well as comments from leadership of the Sleeping Bear Dunes…
Farm in Sleeping Bear

2022 Annual Meeting Presentation

View the 2022 Sleeping Bear Gateways Council Annual Meeting Presentation.
Elise Crafts

Manager Selected for Seasonal Workforce Housing Effort

Frankfort resident Elise Crafts has been selected to lead a project that will address the critical shortage of housing for seasonal employees in communities around the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. The Sleeping Bear Gateways Council…