Debra Horner

Tom Ivacko joined CLOSUP at its founding in the fall of 2001 and serves as executive director of the center. He also oversees the Michigan Public Policy Survey (MPPS) program and has been the lead or co-author on more than 50 MPPS publications covering a wide range of state and local government policy topics. He previously served as study manager, program manager and administrator for 11 years with the American National Election Studies at the University of Michigan's Institute for Social Research. Outside of work, Tom serves as a board member and past president of a nature area non-profit organization that focuses on stewardship and elementary school environmental educational opportunities in Ann Arbor, MI. He has a bachelor's degree in political science and a master's in public administration, both from the University of Michigan.

U.P. local government leaders identify challenges in getting state and federal grants

The article we are sharing from University of Michigan’s CLOSUP center addresses the struggle of local governments in Michigan, particularly in the Upper Peninsula, in utilizing federal funding opportunities from recent legislation like the ARPA and IIJA.

Read More

Surprise: U.P. local government leaders buck the trend and report some improvement in state-local relations since 2016

According to research by University of Michigan’s CLOSUP center, the Upper Peninsula is defying statewide trends with improved state-local relations since 2016. The following article contains insights on this unique dynamic in regional governance.

Read More