Hartland in Hindsight #1- Partners in Progress
Over the span of the past few months, we have taken a concentrated look at the last decade of Hartland Township’s most significant changes and accomplishments. As we have counted down our top 20 achievements of the past ten years, we have seen a common message through many of these victories: together, we achieve more. With such a focus on collaboration, it should come as no surprise that Partners in Progress is our most celebrated accomplishment of the past decade.
Partners in Progress is a collaborative working relationship between Hartland Consolidated Schools, Hartland Area Chamber of Commerce, Cromaine Library, and Hartland Township. Influenced by the Hartland Area Project of the 1930s, Partners in Progress embodies John Robert Crouse, Sr.’s emphasis on the “necessity of cooperation to effect positive change.” Just as Crouse worked to bring culture and community to the rural town of Hartland in the 1930’s, we now look to collaboration to build community among the citizens of Hartland in the 21st century.
In 2017, the first meeting of the Partners in Progress was held, initiating dialogue between representatives from each of the four Hartland organizations. With a focus on promoting growth in the area and creating a partnership for marketing and community engagement efforts, the Partners got to work. Through open communication and planning, the goal for the Hartland Living brand was conceived and ultimately realized.
“By far, the greatest accomplishment for the Partners in Progress has been the introduction of Hartland Living in 2019,” explains Stefanie Furge, a member of the Partners in Progress Communications Committee. “The four Partners have worked together the past couple of years to devise a public way to deliver the Hartland Living brand promise: ‘A community connected, inspiring a higher quality of life.’ It has been a pleasure to work with the Partners on fulfilling this promise. It took a year of planning and execution, but a social media presence with Facebook and Twitter pages were created, along with a dedicated Hartland Living website that features News & Happenings, a Community Directory with everything from groups and organizations to businesses, and a true Community Calendar that can be used by community organizations to promote their events.”
As the Partners in Progress work to embrace the culture of connection, the community is always at the forefront of their minds. Many people come to Hartland for the great school system, outdoor living allure, or business conveniences; but ultimately, people choose to build their lives here when they feel connected with their community – and Partners in Progress has been key in actualizing those connections. Together, we will continue to celebrate the things that make Hartland the place to call home!
