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"Centers for Excellence" Collaboration In Michigan



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Mar 3, 2006, News Report

Governor Jennifer M. Granholm announced seven community partnerships have been selected to receive a "Center for Excellence" pilot designation and grants up to $25,000 over two years to fund their projects. The designation is awarded through the Centers for Regional Excellence (CRE) program, which was created by Granholm to encourage resource sharing and savings among local governments. The state received 35 applications with various proposals outlining such programs as combining public safety dispatch, transportation authorities, and payroll systems to better serve Michigan citizens.

"We heard from city, village, township, county, and school district leaders who are willing to work together in creative ways to use taxpayer dollars more effectively and efficiently at every level," Granholm said. "By collaborating, communities can save citizens money and make their sources go further. This program facilitates the sharing of services, agencies, equipment, and employees to streamline government and save tax dollars."

The grants are funded through existing community development dollars at the Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA), an agency housed in the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Growth (DLEG), and the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT). As CRE pilots, selected communities will also receive access to information from other communities that have already saved dollars through collaborative programs and from university-level facilitators and researchers to assist in developing service-sharing programs.

The grant applications were reviewed by a committee of representatives from the DLEG, MSHDA, and several Michigan universities. Proposals had to include information regarding how pilot funds will be supported by local, in-kind matching investments and a description of how progress will be measured. Priority was given to projects with a greater variety and number of governmental organizations involved in collaboration, likelihood of success, and support of community stakeholders.
For more information, visit http://www.michigan.gov/cre

KW

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