About WMSRDC

Who We Are

The West Michigan Shoreline Regional Development Commission is a federal and state designated regional planning and development agency serving 120 local governments in Lake, Mason, Muskegon, Newaygo, and Oceana Counties.

WMSRDC is also the planning agency for the metropolitan transportation planning (MPO) program for Muskegon and Northern Ottawa Counties.

Mission Statement

The Commission’s mission is to “promote and foster regional development in West Michigan through cooperation amongst local governments and regional partners.”

The general regional goal of the West Michigan Shoreline Regional Development Commission is to provide assistance to member local governments in addressing regional and public policy issues, especially as they pertain to planning and development.

Why/How/What Statements

The below statements were updated by the Commission staff in the Spring of 2025 as an organization-wide project to expand upon the Commission’s mission statement. “We” in the statements refer to the Commission and its staff.

Watch a video about regional development organizations like WMSRDC “Leading the Way on Resilience”

Purpose Statement

We believe in the intentional effort to ensure everyone has a voice in their community. This is achieved when institutional and historical obstacles based on personal background and experiences are removed, ensuring they no longer determine education, health, or life opportunities.

We are committed to identifying and addressing these challenges through engagement and collaboration with local governments, residents, and both public and private partners. Our focus is to provide resources and support that contribute to the development of vibrant and prosperous communities.

The foundation of our organization is rooted in principles of excellence and integrity, and we expect our team members to embody these values in their professional conduct. We strive to maintain a workplace that respects individual differences and upholds the dignity of all.

Therefore, we pledge to utilize our resources to encourage unity and fairness throughout the region. We will cultivate partnerships and implement processes that proactively invite a variety of perspectives into our programs.

By implementing this commitment, we strive to lead by example in supporting communities where everyone has the opportunity to succeed.

Did You Know?

• WMSRDC Executive Director, Erin Kuhn is a governor appointee and vice-chair of the Michigan Infrastructure Council. 
• The United States Department of Commerce, Economic Development Administration (EDA) has made over 40 investments in the region since 1966, most of which were facilitated by WMSRDC.
• On average, WMSRDC completes two to three Master Plans and/or Recreation Plans for local communities per year.
• WMSRDC’s Kathy Evans (retired) is in the Michigan Environmental Hall of Fame.
• WMSRDC celebrated its 55th anniversary in 2025.
• The Region 14 Rural Transportation Task Force, administered by WMSRDC, invests over $4.8 million of combined federal, state and local funding in rural transportation projects in Lake, Mason, Muskegon, Newaygo, and Oceana counties annually.
• The WestPlan Metropolitan Planning Organization, administered by WMSRDC, invests over $19 million in federal funds for state and local projects Muskegon and Ottawa counties annually. 
• Over $80 million was invested in the Muskegon Lake Area of Concern. Delisting of the lake was official in October 2025. Of the total delisting investment, WMSRDC administered approximately $35 million of state and federal grants. 
• WMSRDC publishes a quarterly newsletter that is mailed to over 500 recipients. The newsletter is also available HERE.
• WMSRDC collaborated with a four-state Lake Michigan Trail Network to promote development of a multi-modal trail network and a 1,600 mile continuous loop non-motorized water trail around Lake Michigan.
• 91% of residents surveyed are aware of Clean Air Action Days due to the cooperative efforts of WMSRDC’s Clean Air Action Program and the West Michigan Clean Air Coalition.
• WMSRDC implemented $3 million of fish and wildlife restoration and water quality improvements in the Muskegon River/Stony Creek/White River watersheds through a regional partnership with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
• WMSRDC was designated an Economic Development District (EDD) by the U.S. Department of Commerce, Economic Development Administration (EDA) in 1975. WMSRDC maintains that designation to this day.
• WMSRDC offers GIS mapping to communities in the region. 
• WMSRDC was designated as an Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) in 1973. 
• WMSRDC’s original boundaries included Ottawa, Muskegon, and Oceana counties. In 1991, WMSRDC’s boundaries were redrawn to include Lake, Mason, Muskegon, Oceana, and Newaygo. Prior to that, the boundaries only included the counties of Ottawa, Muskegon, and Oceana beginning in 1970.
  
  

WMSRDC Board of Commissioners