News & Events

SUBURBS ALLIANCE LAUNCHES NEW MEMBERSHIP STRUCTURE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
AUGUST 17, 2006

CONTACT: CONAN SMITH
734-891-2241

FERNDALE – The Michigan Suburbs Alliance today launched a new and expanded membership structure which allows individuals, corporations, nonprofits, and various types of local governments to become part of the Alliance's coalition of older, built-out suburbs.

“Every citizen in the region has a stake in the health of our inner-ring communities,” said Conan Smith, Executive Director of the Suburbs Alliance. “By formalizing our membership structure, we hope to also formalize the partnerships that will make Michigan’s cities healthy, thriving places.”

The new structure allows individuals to become "citizen advocates," private sector entities to become "corporate partners," and local governmental units such as townships, villages and counties to join as "affiliate members.” Nonprofits and other organizations can be “associate members.”

Previously, only cities—“charter members”—could join the 25-member organization, which works to improve and strengthen metro Detroit’s mature, built-out suburbs. The current membership spans Wayne County, southern Macomb and Oakland Counties, and as far west as Ypsilanti.

The Suburbs Alliance initiated the new membership structure in recognition of the role many entities—not just cities—play in revitalizing older suburbs. The well-being of businesses, residents and other municipalities across southeast Michigan is interdependent with the condition of these cities. Joining the Alliance enables these stakeholders to directly support them and the creative initiatives undertaken via the Suburbs Alliance.

Membership is open to corporations and individuals starting at $500 and $50, respectively, but benefits—such as event tickets, sponsorships, print publications and special recognition—are based on giving level. Charter members pay $0.05 per resident based on the 2000 U.S. Census, and affiliate members pay a flat rate of $500.

Visit www.suburbsalliance.org for more information on membership benefits and membership. Individuals can join online. Corporations and municipalities are encouraged to call Suburbs Alliance Associate Director Melanie Brown at (248) 546-2380.

The Michigan Suburbs Alliance is a 501(c)(3) organization created by a group of elected and appointed suburban leaders to give inner suburbs a means by which to organize around their common challenges. It works to facilitate regional cooperation, encourage innovative redevelopment processes and reform public policy that affects mature communities. Go to www.michigansuburbsalliance.org for more information.                                                                    

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