Grand Vision Asks: Is the View of the Bay Worth More Than Half Your Pay?

Is a View of the Bay Worth More Than Half the Pay?

Public Invited to Community Conversation about Natural Resources and the Economy on February 23rd

How important do you think natural resources are to the future of our economy? Join business leaders for a panel presentation and community conversation on February 23rd from 6:00 – 9:00 pm to discuss how these resources help to drive our region’s prosperity. The event will be held at the Oleson Center in Traverse City, located on the main campus of Northwestern Michigan College. It is being hosted by the Natural Resources Network of the Grand Vision, which includes businesses, civic , and environmental organizations.

The event will feature several components:

· Opening Remarks - Derek Bailey, Tribal Chairman of the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians, will deliver a welcome and opening remarks.

· Panel Discussion – Confirmed panelists include Jim MacInnis, President and CEO of Crystal Mountain Resort; Matt Myers, Co-Owner of M-22; and Deborah Wyatt Fellows; Publisher of Traverse, Northern Michigan’s Magazine; Kim Pontius, Executive Vice President of the Traverse Area Association of Realtors; and Gene LaFave, Developer. Panelists will share their perspectives on the following:

o Which natural resources are most important to the success of your business?

o How do natural resource protection goals increase the profitability and sustainability of your business?

o How do you communicate this value with your customers?

o What do you see as the biggest economic development opportunities for our region?

o How do these opportunities relate to natural resource protection goals?

· Community Conversation – Participants at the event will be invited to join break out groups to discuss the following questions as they relate to different topics such as recreation and access to nature, regulatory frameworks, education, energy, food, transportation, and housing.

o How do you think natural resources can drive economic development and economic prosperity in the region?

o Where might there be potential conflicts?

o How do you think these opportunities relate to the goals of the Grand Vision Natural Resources Action Plan?

Pre-registration is encouraged due to limited space. You may register by contacting The Watershed Center Grand Traverse Bay, 231-935-1514 Ex. 4 or by e-mail to dbaker@gtbay.org. On-site registration on the day of the event begins at 5:30pm.

Snacks will be served and door prizes, including several wildlife prints, will be awarded. There is no fee to participate. After the event, join us for an Afterglow at Right Brain Brewery in the Warehouse District, Downtown Traverse City, for continued conversation over a discounted pint!

The mission of the Grand Vision Natural Resources Network is to protect and enhance the water resources, forests, natural areas and scenic beauty that preserve our quality of life and sustain our regional economy. The action plan for implementing the Grand Vision’s guiding principle for natural resources can be found online at: http://www.thegrandvision.org/2011/02/11/action-plan-for-implementing-the-grand-vision%E2%80%99s-guiding-principle-for-natural-resources/