[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ fullwidth=”on” _builder_version=”4.27.3″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_fullwidth_slider module_class=”wt-dept-home-slider” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_slide button_text=”More About Us” button_link=”https:\/\/miottawa.org\/dsi\/about\/” image=”https:\/\/miottawa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/Fillmore.jpg” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#5B799E” background_enable_color=”on” global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_transition=”on”]<\/p>\n
Whether it\u2019s broadband, groundwater, or evaluation and data support, our staff work on a multitude of initiatives that impact the lives of the citizens we serve.<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_slide][et_pb_slide heading=”GROUNDWATER SUSTAINABILITY” button_text=”Explore the Initiative” button_link=”https:\/\/groundwater.miottawa.org\/” url_new_window=”on” image=”https:\/\/miottawa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/slide2-be-water-wise.jpg” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#5B799E” background_enable_color=”on” global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_transition=”on”]<\/p>\n
Over the last decade, Ottawa County residents and businesses have experienced issues related to groundwater, including reports of diminishing capacity and the presence of elevated levels of sodium chloride in some water wells.<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_slide][et_pb_slide heading=”FARMLAND PRESERVATION” button_text=”Help Protect Our Farms” button_link=”https:\/\/miottawa.org\/dsi\/farmland\/” image=”https:\/\/miottawa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/slide3-farmlandpres-scaled.jpg” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#5B799E” background_enable_color=”on” global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_transition=”on”]<\/p>\n
With area farmers producing more than $726 million in products annually, Ottawa County is an agricultural powerhouse. Ottawa County also has a growing population and has a low unemployment rate. But this growth comes at a cost to agriculture: according to the most recent Ag Census, Ottawa County lost 8% of its farms and 16% of its farmed acreage. Ottawa County’s Farmland Preservation Program seeks to protect this vital industry and slow the loss of farms and farmland through programmatic efforts, including the Purchase of Development Rights Program.<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_slide][et_pb_slide heading=”ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT” button_text=”See How It Works” button_link=”https:\/\/miottawa.org\/dsi\/brownfield\/” image=”https:\/\/miottawa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/slide4-brownfield-1.jpg” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#5B799E” background_enable_color=”on” global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_transition=”on”]<\/p>\n
Brownfields are idle, underutilized, or vacant industrial or commercial properties where redevelopment is hindered by real or perceived environmental contamination, blight, or functional obsolescence. Many sites sit unused for decades because the cost of cleanup for these sites can be high and uncertain. DSI works to effectively deploy and promote state-authorized programs to stimulate economic growth.<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_slide][\/et_pb_fullwidth_slider][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.27.3″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.3″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.3″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”1841a45a-0d0c-4d8c-8220-c9686cf6cef2″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][dipl_ajax_search search_placeholder=”Search by Keyword” include_post_types=”dsi-project” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” form_field_text_color=”#445B77″ border_color_all_form_field=”#C6DAF1″ global_colors_info=”{}”][\/dipl_ajax_search][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][dipl_image_card_carousel space_between_slides=”32px” equalize_slides_height=”on” slider_loop=”on” slide_transition_duration=”800″ show_arrow=”on” previous_slide_arrow=”4||divi||400″ next_slide_arrow=”5||divi||400″ show_arrow_on_hover=”on” arrows_position=”outside” show_control_dot=”on” cards_per_slide_tablet=”2″ cards_per_slide_phone=”1″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”43bc2503-bcfa-4b43-a2e2-bca88e1671a9″ hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″][dipl_image_card_carousel_item title=”Broadband Expansion Project” image=”https:\/\/miottawa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/highlighted-broadbandexpansion-1.jpg” show_button=”on” button_url=”https:\/\/miottawa.org\/dsi-project\/ottawa-county-digital-inclusion-strategy\/” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” title_text_color=”#5B799E” title_font_size=”22px” background_layout=”light” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
In spring 2024, Ottawa County and broadband partner 123NET received final grant approvals for the state\u2019s Realizing Opportunity with Broadband Infrastructure Network grant. Approximately 250 miles of fiber is being built to improving access for nearly 6,000 addresses.<\/p>\n
[\/dipl_image_card_carousel_item][dipl_image_card_carousel_item title=”Groundwater Monitoring Network” image=”https:\/\/miottawa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/Groundwater-Monitoring.-resizedJPG.jpg” image_alt=”DSI Staff Members Checks Well” show_button=”on” button_text=”Contact Us” button_url=”#contact” button_url_new_window=”on” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_layout=”light” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
The quality and quantity of water within the source of groundwater for many county residents is declining. To ensure residents have access to clean and safe groundwater for generations, the County is building a system to monitor groundwater in key areas. Contact us to learn more.<\/p>\n
[\/dipl_image_card_carousel_item][dipl_image_card_carousel_item title=”Small-Footprint Home Development Concept” image=”https:\/\/miottawa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/MH-Concept-2_IT-Render_draft-1.jpg” image_alt=”small footprint home draft plan” show_button=”on” button_text=”Learn More” button_url=”https:\/\/miottawa.org\/dsi-project\/micro-home\/” button_url_new_window=”on” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_layout=”light” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
The Ottawa County Housing Commission, in collaboration with DSI, is working to identify solutions to combat the rising cost of housing in the county. One of these potential solutions is exploring smaller footprint homes.<\/p>\n
[\/dipl_image_card_carousel_item][dipl_image_card_carousel_item title=”Communities Boost Housing” image=”https:\/\/miottawa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/prospectflatspresser_original.jpg” image_alt=”small footprint home draft plan” show_button=”on” button_url=”https:\/\/content.govdelivery.com\/accounts\/MIOTTAWA\/bulletins\/3beda81″ button_url_new_window=”on” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_layout=”light” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
While a lack of affordable housing continues to be a challenge for Michigan<\/a>, Ottawa County communities are finding solutions. Just 15 months after the state passed legislation expanding the use of tax-increment financing to support certain housing development activities, there are now three projects in the works to help residents.<\/p>\n [\/dipl_image_card_carousel_item][\/dipl_image_card_carousel][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_3,1_3,1_3″ disabled_on=”on|on|on” _builder_version=”4.27.3″ _module_preset=”default” disabled=”on” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.27.3″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][dipl_image_card title=”Broadband Expansion Project” image=”https:\/\/miottawa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/highlighted-broadbandexpansion.jpg” image_alt=”Broadband map” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”_initial” link_option_url=”https:\/\/miottawa.org\/dsi-project\/ottawa-county-digital-inclusion-strategy\/” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n In spring 2024, Ottawa County and broadband partner 123NET received final grant approvals for the state\u2019s Realizing Opportunity with Broadband Infrastructure Network grant. Approximately 250 miles of fiber is being built to improving access for nearly 6,000 residents.<\/p>\n Read More<\/a><\/p>\n [\/dipl_image_card][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.27.3″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][dipl_image_card title=”Record funds raised at eighth-annual farmland preservation fundraiser” image=”https:\/\/miottawa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/Highlighted-farmstapas-scaled.jpg” image_alt=”Photo of Farms are the Tapas Event” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”_initial” link_option_url=”https:\/\/content.govdelivery.com\/accounts\/MIOTTAWA\/bulletins\/3bac930″ link_option_url_new_window=”on” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n The taste for farmland preservation continues to grow as a record 172 people flocked to the Red Shed the evening of September 24 for Ottawa County’s eighth-annual Farms are the Tapas fundraising event and silent auction.<\/p>\n Read More<\/a><\/p>\n [\/dipl_image_card][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.27.3″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][dipl_image_card title=”Groundwater Monitoring Network ” image=”https:\/\/miottawa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/Highlighted-wellmonitoringnetwork-scaled.jpg” image_alt=”Well Monitoring Networks Photo” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”_initial” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n The quality and quantity of water within the source of groundwater for many county residents is declining. To ensure residents have access to clean and safe groundwater for generations, the County is building a system to monitor groundwater in key areas. Contact us to learn more.<\/p>\n Contact Us<\/a><\/p>\n [\/dipl_image_card][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_3,1_3,1_3″ disabled_on=”on|on|on” _builder_version=”4.27.3″ _module_preset=”default” disabled=”on” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.27.3″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][dipl_image_card title=”Small-Footprint Homes Project” image=”https:\/\/miottawa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/highlighted-microhomes-1024×683.jpg” image_alt=”Broadband map” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”_initial” link_option_url=”https:\/\/miottawa.org\/dsi-project\/micro-home\/” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n The Ottawa County Housing Commission, in collaboration with DSI, is working to identify solutions to combat the rising cost of housing in the county. One of these potential solutions is exploring smaller footprint homes, also known as a \u2018microhome.\u2019<\/p>\n Read More<\/a><\/p>\n [\/dipl_image_card][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.27.3″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][dipl_image_card title=”Communities Boost Housing” image=”https:\/\/miottawa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/Highlighted_tiff.jpg” image_alt=”Photo of housing” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”_initial” link_option_url=”https:\/\/content.govdelivery.com\/accounts\/MIOTTAWA\/bulletins\/3beda81″ link_option_url_new_window=”on” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n While a lack of affordable housing continues to be a challenge for Michigan<\/a>, Ottawa County communities are finding solutions. Just 15 months after the state passed legislation expanding the use of tax-increment financing to support certain housing development activities, there are now three projects in the works to help residents.<\/p>\n Read More<\/a><\/p>\n [\/dipl_image_card][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.27.3″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][dipl_image_card title=”Court Technology” image=”https:\/\/miottawa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/highlight-court-scaled.jpeg” image_alt=”legal stock photo” _builder_version=”4.27.3″ _module_preset=”_initial” global_colors_info=”{}”]The DSI has worked closely with the County Clerk to evaluate the efficiency and cost effectiveness of technology implementations including the Justice Document Management and Imaging System and aiSmartbench.<\/p>\n