Hartland in Hindsight #18: Pursuing Partnerships

Like any community, Hartland Township is the sum of numerous parts—its residents, its business community, its governing bodies and schools, and many, many more.

While the Township is typical in this way, one of the things that makes us stand out is the way that Hartland’s leadership has actively pursued and strengthened its partnerships with these and other entities over the past decade. The township board knows that by strategically strengthening these bonds and working together, we all can create a better place to live, work, and raise a family.

These partnerships can range from Partners in Progress, a four-way working relationship between the Township, school district, library, and chamber of commerce to the Senior Center and the Livingston County Drain Commission. Regardless of the working relationship or organization, our Township Board has always aimed to find new avenues of connection.

“The Board has been happy to form strong partnerships with many organizations providing services to all ages,” says Kathie Horning, the Township’s treasurer and a Hartland Township board member.

According to Horning, this willingness to work together is not an accident, nor is it a strategy meant simply to create goodwill—it’s a way of increasing efficiency and fiscal responsibility. She herself serves on the board of the senior center, works for the Township, sits on the Township board, and is a key organizer of the Hartland Farmers’ Market.

“These partnerships have grown in positive strength and are very important to stay fiscally responsible and communicate ideas together, rather than each organization being an island,” she says. The end result is simple, and one she’s proud to promote: “Together we can achieve more.”