How one rural county did it

Cheboygan and the surrounding area have seen great boom times, as well as downturns since the start of the lumbering community in 1844. Along with lumberjacks and sawmill crews, immigrants came from Canada, Poland, and Sweden. They were bankers, teachers, doctors, shopkeepers, and farmers. The population explosion created a great demand for increased manufacturing and commerce. Boom and bust cycles continued through the 1900s.  

In 2015, the City of Cheboygan and the entire county had been experiencing an economic downward slide. The hospital had closed. The once-flourishing, nationally branded paper plant closed and was reorganized in a much-diminished way. Several businesses had closed recently on Main Street, leaving 27 vacant storefronts in a four-block stretch. There was debris on the sidewalks, along with many cracks. Streets and roads were cracked and potholed, having a look of overall decay.

Realizing that something needed to be done and addressed now, three women who happened to be Democrats, and part of the local party, sounded the alarm. They organized weekly meetings, building a volunteer base, and including business owners, the City Manager, Republican leaders in town, other Democrats, literally anyone who was interested in helping improve the city. We named ourselves “Bring It Cheboygan,” and we are now 400 plus strong. We did not identify ourselves politically, as the effort was completely non-partisan and about helping our community. 

A young business owner suggested we research Michigan Main Street as a solution to this problem. Other towns across Michigan became MMS towns, resulting in economic upturns. MMS is a nationwide program that instructs grass roots volunteers how to revitalize their town/city. Becoming a Main Street community is not given to every town/city. You must prove that you can do the work, have the support of the City Council, business owners and most importantly, volunteers. Working quickly but methodically, we gained the overwhelming support of all 3 entities. The City of Cheboygan is now a Main Street City, in the second phase of the program.

This was the beginning of our Cheboygan County Democratic Party embracing the idea that we needed to be a part of improving our community. We had to do the jobs, working alongside everyone, political parties did not matter. All that mattered was to improve the quality of life in Cheboygan for everyone. And we have done just that. 

As a result, many leaders have emerged from the large group of volunteers. They are established in city government positions, are active on Chamber of Commerce committees, serve on local boards and non-profit organizations. 

Today, we continue to volunteer everywhere we can, committed to the good of the community. (See volunteer commitments below). Cheboygan is once again becoming a thriving community. We are dedicated to continuing our work because it makes a difference. 

This is where the Dems101 “Creed” comes in. Following the MDP Rural Caucus Summit that a few of the CCDP attended, we heard Jim Purvis speak, read the Dems101 book and then introduced the “Creed” to our party asking for its adoption. The Party did so unanimously because it clearly describes what the Party believes in. It’s our philosophical base, first and foremost. All other work comes from those ideals. 

The Michigan Main Street Program, a nationwide initiative, does take an enormous number of grassroots volunteers to be successful. I realize this is only one way to be engaged in the community, and it may not be for everyone. I can say, however, that working on projects throughout the county brings all political and non-affiliated people together for the common cause of improving the place one calls home. Becoming part of your community on every and all levels is available to all county parties.

Joanne Cromley, Chair, Cheboygan County Democratic Party (Michigan)

CCDP Volunteer Commitments

1. County/City/Township: Planning Commission, Recreation Commission, and Trails

2. DDA/Main Street: Historic Preservation, Events, Marketing/advertising, and other

3. Chamber of Commerce: Ambassadors

4. Service Organizations: Kiwanis, Rotary, and other

5. Non-profit organizations: Salvation Army, Food Banks, Habitat for Humanity, United Way, Arts Council, History Center, Adopt-a-highway, Save Our Hospice House, Seedums Garden Club, and Perennial Garden Club

Government:

• City Council - City Planning

• County Planning Commission

• Cheboygan County Council on Agi

• Michigan Main Street Board and sub-committees

• Downtown Development Authority

• Historic Preservation

• Board of Canvassers

• Library Board

• Precinct Delegates

• Election workers