September 12, 2006

Lansing – Fifty new web sites have been created for cities and townships across Michigan as a result of an ongoing collaborative effort that includes the Michigan Department of Information Technology, the Michigan Townships Association, the Michigan Municipal League, and four state universities.  The web sites were created for communities that lacked the resources to develop their own sites by utilizing computer students from Michigan State University, Central Michigan University, Northern Michigan University, and Western Michigan University.  Twenty-six additional sites will be developed by students for communities across Michigan during the fall semester.

“This is the kind of teamwork and spirit that makes Michigan such a great place to live, work, and raise a family,” remarked Governor Jennifer Granholm.  “Because of this outstanding collaboration and excellence in public service, residents in these Michigan communities will now have easier and faster access to the local information and services they need, and students across Michigan are learning to put their computer skills to work.”

The Office of Technology Partnerships (OTP), housed within the Michigan Department of Information Technology, teamed up with the Michigan Townships Association and Michigan Municipal League to select the communities that were most in need of computer help.  OTP then collaborated with the four universities to coordinate the deployment of students to their assigned township or city.  The program allows the students to showcase and apply their talents in web site development while giving the communities in need their desired Web presence.  In the end, citizens benefit by having a new and more convenient way to access information and services within their community.

“We are proud to be part of the effort that helps bring local communities online,” said Teri Takai, Director of the Department of Information Technology.  “It’s a win for the students, the local units of government, and the citizens that reside in those communities.”

According to the 2004 Cyber-State.org e-Government Review & Survey, only 29 percent of Michigan local units of government have a Web presence, yet citizens are increasingly seeking information and services via the Internet.  The survey also noted that Michigan residents said they prefer government services to be delivered online.

“Service learning - using real world projects within an academic course - is a winning situation all around,” said Sandra Poindexter, Professor of Computer Information Systems at Northern Michigan University’s College of Business.  “Students are more motivated to learn, committed to project outcomes, and get practical experience that clarifies the concepts.  Developing website projects for townships in the State of Michigan challenged our students, as Township clerks and staff treated them as professionals.  I think the students rose to that level - developing websites that were of high quality and training township staff in maintaining the sites.” 

"MTA encourages township leaders to build cooperative partnerships with other public entities, including local schools and universities,” said Evelyn David from the Michigan Townships Association.  “Everyone benefits from these collaborative projects, because the townships can provide more information to the public through their Web sites, and the students gain insight into the important services townships provide."

Follow the links below to view some of the Web sites developed by the university students:

http://www.pennfieldtwp.com (created by MSU students)
http://www.marathon.mi-twp.org (created by MSU students)
http://www.cityofironwood.org (created by NMU students)
http://www.daftertownship.org (created by NMU students)
http://www.cityofgrantmi.com (created by CMU students)
http://www.thegrammatoncleric.com/schoolcraft (created by WMU students)

The following local units of government have taken advantage of the program thus far:  Adrian Township, Argentine Township, Assyria Township, Au Train Township, Bessemer Township, Blissfield Township, Blue Lake Township, Bridgeport Charter Township, Cedar Creek Township, Charleston Township, Cohoctah Township, Colon Township, Columbia Township, Croton Township, Dafter Township, Grant Township, Greenwood Township, Howard Township, James Township, Jerome Township, Leoni Township, Liberty Township, Marathon Township, Muskegon Township, Newkirk Township, Norvell Township, Oregon Township, Ogemaw Township, Pennfield Township, Richland Township, Schoolcraft Township, Thornapple Township, Tyrone Township, Valley Township, Victory Township, Watertown Charter Township, Windsor Charter Township, Village of Schoolcraft, City of Parma, Village of Berrien Springs, City of Grant, Village of Birch Run, Village of Chesaning, City of Hart, City of Ironwood, City of Lake, Village of Shoreham, Village of Carsonville, and Village of Climax.

The follow local units of government are scheduled to have sites developed this fall:  Arcadia Township, Armada Township, Lake Township, Bois Blanc Township, Buena Vista Township, Carp Lake Township, Clayton Township, Colfax Township, Crockery Township, Crystal Lake Township, Freemont Township, Higgins Township, Huron Charter Township, Klacking Township, Lee Township, Leighton Township, Lilley Township, Loud Township, Milford Charter Township, Newton Township, Pierson Township, Pinora Township, South Branch Township, City of Mount Clemons, City of Allen Park, and Village of Kent.