Contact: Sue Wagner
Manistee County Planning Director
PH: 231-723-6041

For Immediate Release

SPICER GROUP SELECTED TO COMPLETE RECREATION
PLAN FOR MANISTEE COUNTY

Manistee, Michigan – The Manistee County Planning Commission announced today that the Spicer Group, based in Saginaw, Michigan, has been selected to work with all interests to complete a Department of Natural Resources-Approved County Recreation Plan for Manistee County. The Spicer Group was selected from a total of nine firms that competed for the project based upon a Request for Proposal developed on behalf of the Planning Commission by the Manistee County Economic Development Office.

The plan will cover a five-year period beginning in April 2008 and will meet the requirements of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources’ Guidelines for the Development of Community Park, Recreation, Open Space and Greenway Plans. The plan is intended to address all private and public recreational needs and opportunities in the county and identify potential funding sources for recommendations. The plan development process will invite participation of all interests, including at least two open houses to obtain community input and an interactive web site.

“The Spicer Group has helped communities throughout Michigan develop recreation plans that have been implemented and met their needs,” said County Planning Commission chairperson Karl Waitner. “Through a community-driven process, we believe this group can prepare a world-class Recreation Plan for our world-class county.”

The Spicer Group has completed 42 DNR-approved recreation plans that now serve as the blueprint for villages, cities, counties and townships throughout Michigan. They are currently preparing a county-wide recreation plan for Mason County. The Spicer Group has written over $6.9 million in grants to help communities implement their recreation plans. County Planner Sue Wagner will coordinate the development of the plan, working with the Spicer Group, County Planning Commission and other county interests. A kick-off meeting inviting all county interests will be held in the near future. Mr. Rob Eggers, an owner of the Spicer Group, will be the primary project manager, in collaboration with Alan Bean and Tanya Moore from the Spicer Group.

Funding for the project is being provided by the Manistee County Community Foundation under a grant from the W. K. Kellogg Foundation aimed at implementing priorities of Envision Manistee County.