During my 30-plus years in health care, I have been involved with at least two dozen strategic plans.

In addition, for five years, I taught strategic planning to university graduate-level students.

A vital part of any strategic planning process involves research into what the market needs, now and into the future, along with asking what customers or consumers want.

Recently, Alpena Community College government students and the Sunset Project began Web-based community research data collection.

The survey’s purpose is to determine what residents desire for Northeast Michigan’s future within program development and related aspects.

In particular, the survey focused upon regional arts and cultural offerings, recreational activities, shopping, inclusion, youth, and quality of life. The research also offered an opportunity to respond to several open-ended questions.

Research tabulation will be sorted by demographics such as geographic location, age groups, education level, and related.

ACC political science and history instructor Tim Kuehnlein reveals that, with the data gathering now complete, he and his research students will work with the Sunset Project staff, taking the aggregated data and begin processing. That includes finding the common denominators.

He added that some of the questions were open-ended and will require deciphering and organizing.

Once the data processing is complete, the plan is to invite local government entities (county, townships, and city, including the local planning commissions) to join the class for a preliminary summary report of the data.

Later this month, the data will be presented at the ACC Board of Trustees meeting as part of the faculty/student report to the Board.

Then, on May 3, there will be a conclave/luncheon of Northeast Michigan’s arts and culture community assembled at the Alpena County Library (hosted by the Thunder Bay Arts Council) from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. That meeting will be an opportunity to foster conversation about how the research data may help local nonprofits create economic and community development unique to each of their various missions.

In summary, that research will be vital to county, city, village, and township government leadership, as well as to nonprofit organizations and select business firms in addressing current and future needs.

Good job, college students, research panel, and survey participants!

By the way, I am a proud Alpena Community College graduate.

Jeffrey D. Brasie is a retired health care CEO. He frequently writes historic feature stories and op-eds for various Michigan newspapers. As a Vietnam-era veteran, he served in the U.S. Navy and U.S. Naval Reserve. He served on the public affairs staff of the secretary of the Navy. He grew up in Alpena and resides in suburban Detroit.