Interested in finding resources on issues facing the Great Lakes region? Here is a list of places to look. Send more suggestions to changinggears (at) umich.edu. Please follow the format below and put “resources” in the subject line.
Non-profit Great Lakes initiatives and organizational resources
Global Midwest Initiative of The Chicago Council on Global Affairs
Description: The Global Midwest Initiative (GMI) is a regional effort to promote interstate dialogue between government, business, and civic leaders about how best to respond to, benefit from, and shape global forces. Through a series of conferences, seminars, and publications, GMI aims to serve as a resource for those interested in the Midwest’s ability to navigate today’s global landscape. The Web site features a blog by Richard C. Longworth, author of the book Caught in the Middle: America’s Heartland in the Age of Globalism.
Great Lakes Economic Initiative of the Brookings Institute
Description: “why the Great Lakes region developed as it did and how it is positioned today to be a global economic player. It provides a candid assessment of what assets the region can build on and the challenges it must overcome. And it identifies ways that Great Lakes states can strengthen their economies through collective action. Further, it describes how and why the region is a vital contributor to the long-term economic health of the nation and how it can join with federal partners to pursue an integrated state, multi-state, and national policy agenda.”
Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes Coalition
Description: “…the coalition seeks to clean up sewage and toxic sediments, to restore damaged habitat, to protect high quality habitat, and to control and prevent the introduction of invasive species, each of which is an essential component of restoring the health of the Great Lakes ecosystem.”
Great Lakes Regional Collaboration
From web site: The Great Lakes Regional Collaboration (GLRC) is a wide-ranging, cooperative effort to design and implement a strategy for the restoration, protection and sustainable use of the Great Lakes.
Council of Great Lakes Governors
From web site: Governors of the eight Great Lakes States – Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. In more recent years, the Premiers of Ontario and Québec have joined with the Governors in advancing the high performance economy of the Great Lakes region.
The Center for Labor & Community Research
Mission Statement Excerpt: To strengthen communities through initiatives to redefine, rediscover, and rebuild the manufacturing sector in the knowledge economy[…]Provide research and analysis on specific companies and communities identifying relevant opportunities and challenges to rebuilding the advanced manufacturing sector; Develop effective public policy, legislation, and public engagement in these initiatives
Center for Polytechnical Education
Non-profit CPE creates educational programs that combine college prep, technology, and entrepreneurship. Two Chicago schools: Chicago Academy for Advanced Technology (CAAT) and Austin Polytechnical Academy (APA).
Washington-based, private, nonprofit, and nonpartisan research organization dedicated to economic vitality, environmental quality, and regional equity for Northeast and Midwest states. Includes a Great Lakes Task Force. Policy areas: Agriculture and Food, Brownfields, Energy, Manufacturing, Urban Revitalization, Trade and the Environment/Invasive Species & Water and Watersheds
Great Lakes Information Network (GLIN)
From web site: The Great Lakes Information Network (GLIN) is a partnership that provides one place online for people to find information relating to the binational Great Lakes-St. Lawrence region of North America. GLIN offers a wealth of data and information about the region’s environment, economy, tourism, education and more.
Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center (GLBRC)
From web site: The GLBRC is one of three national centers funded by the U.S. Department of Energy to conduct transformational biofuels research. The other centers are the Joint BioEnergy Institute and the BioEnergy Science Center… The mission of the GLBRC is ambitious, but simple; we will improve the overall efficiency of the biomass to bioenergy pipeline.
Michigan Alternative and Renewable Energy Center (MAREC)
From web site: The mission of MAREC is to be a destination point for researchers and businesses interested in advancing, developing, and using alternative energy technologies and related applications. In addition, the Center is a leader and resource in advancing energy related education and the development of effective public policy that will lead to greater use and application of renewable energy technology.
Environmental Protection Agency: Great Lakes
Web site: …strives to reinvent a new decision-making process which ensures fair, informed and open public participation; from Waterfront Landowners, Sailors, Local Businesses and Farmers.