As part of the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD), the new Office of Rural Development is meant to improve the quality of life in the rural part of the state by providing guidance on pressing issues and offering insight on how the Whitmer-Gilchirst Administration can invest in thriving rural communities. The vision for the office was started in partnership through a collaboration with InvestUP, LSCP, and the Northern Michigan Chamber Alliance. MDARD Director Gary McDowell shared his insights on the office and what it could mean for northern Michigan.
“We’re not limited to, say, just housing, or just broadband,” McDowell says. “We want to respond to specific needs in rural communities. It could be wastewater, it could be some other kind of infrastructure. But whatever your community needs, we want to be that partner to make sure you can achieve it.” Read the full interview here.