Endorsing Change that is RAAD! The undersigned, having assembled after hearing of this initiative, and representing diverse interests, institutions, associations, organizations and companies from throughout Michigan, believe that the Governor can take historic and transformative action by creating and appointing a new State Department, the Department of Rural Affairs and Development (RAAD), to make Michigan a progressive national leader for constructive change on the unique issues impacting rural communities. Accelerate UP Gogebic Community College Advanced Center for Orthopedics & Plastic Surgery Harbor Springs Chamber of Commerce Alpena Area Chamber of Commerce Helen Newberry Joy Hospital & Healthcare Center Alpena Public Schools/Alpena High School Housing North—Northwest Lower Michigan Baraga County Economic Development Corporation Invent@NMU Baraga County Memorial Hospital InvestUP Bay College— Delta/Dickinson County Iron County Economic Chamber Alliance Benzie County Chamber of Commerce Lake Superior Community Partnership—Marquette County Boyne Area Chamber of Commerce Lake Superior State University CCI Systems—Dickinson County Luce County Economic Development Corporation Cadillac Area Chamber of Commerce Mackinac Economic Alliance CBS Solar—Alpena County Mackinac Straights Central U.P. Planning & Development Regional Commission MacNamara Insurance Agency, Inc.—Otsego County Central Regional Prosperity Council—Central U.P. Manistee Area Chamber of Commerce Charlevoix Area Chamber of Commerce Marshall Area Economic Development Alliance Cheboygan Area Chamber of Commerce Marquette County Ambassadors Chippewa County Economic Development Corporation Menominee Economic Development Corporation Chippewa County War Memorial Hospital Michigan Forest Bioeconomy Institute— Houghton County County of Marquette Michigan Tech Enterprise Corporation SmartZone Delta County Economic Development Alliance Michigan Technological University Delta-Schoolcraft Intermediate School District MidMichigan Health—Alpena County Dickinson Area Economic Development Alliance Midwestern Broadcasting—WATZ/WRGZ/WZTK/WTCM FM/WTCMAM/WCCW FM/WCCW AM/WJZQ/WBCM— Downtown Scoops—Alpena County Alpena County EUP Regional Planning & Development—Eastern U.P. Munson Healthcare Charlevoix Area Hospital—Charlevoix East Jordan Chamber of Commerce County Elk Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce Networks Northwest—Northwest Lower Michigan FinnZone—Houghton County Northern Michigan Chamber Alliance Gaylord Area Chamber of Commerce Northern Michigan University “There is more potential for economic growth in rural America than at any time in decades.” Tom Vilsack, Former U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Endorsing Change that is RAAD! Operation Action U.P. Petoskey Regional Chamber of Commerce Saginaw Future Sault Area chamber of Commerce Schoolcraft Memorial Hospital Schoolcraft Tourism & Commerce Shiawassee Economic Development Partnership SmartZone—Marquette County Superior Health Foundation—Upper Peninsula Thunder Bay Therapy and Sports Medicine—Alpena County Traverse City Area Chamber of Commerce TraverseConnect U.P. Association of County Commissioners U.P. Building Trades Council UP Health System—Bell UP Health System—Marquette UP Regional Labor Federation, AFL-CIO Upper Peninsula Collaborative Development Council Upper Peninsula Commission for Area Progress Upper Peninsula Health Plan UPward Talent Council/Michigan Works! Village of L’Anse Western U.P. Planning & Development Region “There is more potential for economic growth in rural America than at any time in decades.” Tom Vilsack, Former U.S. Secretary of Agriculture .