LANSING, Mich. (WZMQ) — The state of Michigan has received a $1.5 million grant from the Ballmer Group to develop a “Community Transition Playbook,” a resource designed to help local communities prepare for and respond to economic disruptions like large plant closures or business failures.
The initiative, led by the state’s Community & Worker Economic Transition Office, will equip local leaders with tools to navigate job losses and plan for long-term economic resilience.
“The playbook will help communities not only respond to economic shocks, but also take steps to build more diverse and sustainable local economies,” said Jonathan Smith, director of the office. “It’s not about creating a one-size-fits-all solution, but giving communities the resources and data they need to act on their own strengths.”
Smith said the project comes after a series of more than a dozen community roundtables held across the state, gathering input from local leaders representing 40 counties. The goal, he said, is to turn local insight into actionable plans for growth, something many communities currently lack the capacity or information to do.
The playbook will be created in three phases. First, the office is conducting plant closure simulations to understand better how local governments respond to economic shocks. Then, a draft playbook will be tested with a pilot group of communities before a final version is released statewide early next year.
Smith noted the relevance for regions like the Upper Peninsula, where communities have historically struggled to recover from mine closures and other major industry shifts.
“When large employers close, it’s not just a government issue — it impacts everyone,” Smith said. “The water bill goes up, tax revenue goes down, and your neighbors might lose their jobs. This kind of resource helps communities get out ahead of those problems.”
Public engagement will continue throughout the process. Updates and opportunities to get involved are available at michigan.gov/economicopportunity.
