Traverse Connect previews draft agreement, pitches regional economic strategy and asks city for contract feedback

Representatives from Traverse Connect presented a draft contract and program update to the Traverse City Commission at the April 14 study session, laying out priorities for a regional economic development partnership and asking the commission for feedback ahead of the city’s budget cycle.

Traverse Connect representatives Camille Martinez and Warren told the commission the organization’s role is to support a regional, collaborative economic strategy and to help implement parts of the city’s draft 2030 strategic action plan — notably equitable and sustainable community development, regional collaboration and a year-round diversified economy. They cited recent and ongoing initiatives including a Creative Coast job board, advanced aerial mobility and water-innovation partnerships, a Great Lakes bluetech competition, and prior advocacy that supported workforce housing pilot legislation.

Warren said the Creative Coast job board had grown substantially, from about 893 job views in 2020 to roughly 41,000 in 2024, and described projects that link local research institutions and businesses with opportunities tied to water studies, drone-enabled research and marine electrification. The presentation included a draft service agreement (contract) for the commission’s review and asked the commission to provide contract feedback and direction during the upcoming budget process.

Commissioners asked about Traverse Connect’s policy and advocacy role. Commissioner Heather asked whether the organization would lobby on short‑term rental legislation; Warren said Traverse Connect had previously prepared and shared a policy brief about short‑term rentals and had participated in legislative advocacy on workforce housing pilots. Commissioner Tim pressed on whether the organization’s focus is “high‑paying jobs” versus supporting family‑sustaining careers across sectors; Traverse Connect representatives said their mission is to promote economic diversity and family‑sustaining careers and described examples including educator housing work that aimed to help middle‑income and service-sector workers.

On procurement and oversight, Commissioner Jackie said she would favor issuing a request for proposals for professional services reaching six figures; other commissioners asked staff to circulate suggested contract edits to the commission and to submit comments to Liz (city staff) and the Traverse Connect team. City staff said the draft contract is available in the meeting packet and that the city is in budget season; commissioners were asked to review the draft and send feedback to Liz so the commission could consider the contract in upcoming budget deliberations.

Commissioners and Traverse Connect representatives also discussed a draft Unified Prosperity Plan that had been developed through countywide meetings. Commissioners asked for clarity about city participation in that plan and how municipal inputs were represented; Traverse Connect said the plan was a product of multiple municipality workshops and that the draft remains in development and subject to County Economic Development Corporation and county commission review.

No formal contract vote occurred at the study session. Commissioners directed staff and Traverse Connect to exchange suggested contract edits, circulate written feedback to Liz ahead of budget deliberations and consider an RFP as requested by one commissioner. The commission did not approve any contract or allocate funds at this meeting.