Published 11 times a year, with a combined spring issue, MTA’s Township Focus magazine is the premiere source of ideas and information for Michigan’s 6,500-plus township officials, plus thousands more township personnel, state and federal lawmakers and more. On topics as varied as nuts-and-bolts statutory duties, to upcoming trends and legislative happenings, Focus includes articles ranging from in-depth cover stories and quick-read special features, to popular monthly columns and the always informative Q&A “Hello, MTA … ?”
MTA membership automatically provides a subscription for elected township board members, planning commission chair, township attorney, and manager/superintendent (if applicable). Member counties also receive subscriptions for elected officials, the equalization director and the road commission chairperson. Additional member subscriptions are available for $33 per year.
Subscription rate for residents or firms in member townships is $44 per year. Libraries and schools may subscribe for $33 per year.
To subscribe, download the subscription order form, mail, with payment, to: MTA, PO Box 80078, Lansing, MI 48908-0078. If paying with credit card, the form can be faxed to (517) 321-8908 or emailed to the MTA office. If you have questions regarding Township Focus subscriptions, contact at (517) 321-6467, ext. 226 or email MTA.
Before Township Focus we had Michigan Township News. Read cover articles from as far back as 2006.
2013
- September
- October
- November
- December 2013 Michigan Township News Cover Story
What’s in your plan? Envisioning your township’s future
2012
- January February 2012 Michigan Township News Cover Story
Managing negativity - March 2012 Michigan Township News Cover Story
Gov. Snyder talks townships, partnering at MTA Conference & Expo - April 2012 Michigan Township News Cover Story
Clearing up the confusion about unemployment - May 2012 Michigan Township News Cover Story
Cemetery maintenance: More than just mowing the lawn - June 2012 Michigan Township News Cover Story
The personal property tax debate: what’s in, what’s out - July 2012 Michigan Township News Cover Story
Developing and maintaining: a culture of ethics in your township - August 2012 Michigan Township News Cover Story
From field to fork: Local food and the local economy - September 2012 Michigan Township News Cover Story
Trail Towns-hip: Leveraging your existing trail system for community and economic development - October
- November 2012 Michigan Township News Cover Story
Sustainability, placemaking and citizen engagement: The new face of economic development - December 2012 Michigan Township News Cover Story
Ending homelessness, strengthening communities
2011
- January February 2011 Michigan Township News Cover Story
Maintaining and creating attractive communities for a new Michigan - March 2011 Michigan Township News Cover Story
Jack Randolph: Leading MTA with a strong voice - April 2011 Michigan Township News Cover Story
The township board’s role in assessment administration - May 2011 Michigan Township News Cover Story
Intergovernmental cooperation in Michigan’s New Economy - June 2011 Michigan Township News Cover Story
Partnering for parks: Cooperative options for providing recreation services - July 2011 Michigan Township News Cover Story
The rising cost of health care - August 2011 Michigan Township News Cover Story
Capital improvements: What’s in your plan? - September 2011 Michigan Township News Cover Story
Boosting your township’s local economy - October 2011 Michigan Township News Cover Story
History in the making Historic preservation in Michigan townships - November 2011 Michigan Township News Cover Story
The case for considering mediation - December 2011 Michigan Township News Cover Story
The long view: Budgeting best practices
2010
- January February 2010 Michigan Township News Cover Story
Texting, tweeting and town hall meetings: Townships are reaching out to build community relations - March 2010 Michigan Township News Cover Story
Officials embrace change at 2010 MTA Conference & Expo - April 2010 Michigan Township News Cover Story
Planning for the Information Age - May 2010 Michigan Township News Cover Story
Getting creative Finding funding for township infrastructure projects - June 2010 Michigan Township News Cover Story
Finding the true cost of development in your township - July 2010 Michigan Township News Cover Story
Purchasing power: Best practices in township procurement - August 2010 Michigan Township News Cover Story
Lights, camera, action! The film industry and Michigan townships - September 2010 Michigan Township News Cover Story
Building a connected community using social media tools - October 2010 Michigan Township News Cover Story
History in the making Historic preservation in Michigan townships - November 2010 Michigan Township News Cover Story
Brush burning, bonfires and burn barrels: Outdoor burning in your township - December 2010 Michigan Township News Cover Story
Court ruling offers locals the means to stop state-imposed unfunded mandates
2009
- January February 2009 Michigan Township News Cover Story
Township Top 10: Responsibilities and duties all officials must know - March 2009 Michigan Township News Cover Story
2009 Conference urges attendees to ‘Work Together for a Better Michigan’ - April 2009 Michigan Township News Cover Story
Vox Populi: A report card on Michigan’s local governments - May 2009 Michigan Township News Cover Story
Share your township’s story through earned media - June 2009 Michigan Township News Cover Story
Finding the true cost of development in your township - July 2009 Michigan Township News Cover Story
Growing your economy: The role of townships in entrepreneurial development - August 2009 Michigan Township News Cover Story
Turning green into gold: Renewable energy and townships - September 2009 Michigan Township News Cover Story
Recruiting and retaining township volunteer firefighters - October 2009 Michigan Township News Cover Story
History in the making Historic preservation in Michigan townships - November 2009 Michigan Township News Cover Story
Tough Times: Strategies for Stressed Budgets - December 2009 Michigan Township News Cover Story
Townships: Adapting to variances in Michigan’s challenging economic climate
2008
- January February 2008 Michigan Township News Cover Story
On the Record: Michigan’s Freedom of Information Act - March 2008 Michigan Township News Cover Story
Officials Take Pride in 2008 Conference - April 2008 Michigan Township News Cover Story
MTA Survey Reveals Broad Cooperation in Delivery of Township Services - May
- June
- July 2008 Michigan Township News Cover Story
Still Broken: Michigan’s Video Franchising Law 18 Months Later - August 2008 Michigan Township News Cover Story
Cultivating Agriculture: Dos and Don’ts for Townships - September 2008 Michigan Township News Cover Story
Eliminating Sexual Harassment in the Workplace - October 2008 Michigan Township News Cover Story
Townships can fight blight for improved quality of life - November 2008 Michigan Township News Cover Story
‘Rightsizing’ your township to respond to tough financial times - December 2008 Michigan Township News Cover Story
Performance measurements and benchmarking: How does your township measure up?
2007
- January February 2007 Michigan Township News Cover Story
Managing Growth in Your Township - March 2007 Michigan Township News Cover Story
2007 Conference Encourages Officials to ‘Make a Difference’ - April 2007 Michigan Township News Cover Story
The Power of Communication to Shape Public Opinion - May 2007 Michigan Township News Cover Story
Down on the Farm: Agricultural Tourism and Townships - June 2007 Michigan Township News Cover Story
From Hiring to Firing: Advice for Townships - July 2007 Michigan Township News Cover Story
Effective Rural Governance: What Is It? Does It Matter? - August 2007 Michigan Township News Cover Story
Township Economic Development: Growing Our Communities from Within - September 2007 Michigan Township News Cover Story
Show Me the Money! MSU Study Reveals Shift of Assessing Duties to Counties ‘Less Likely to Exhibit Cost Savings’ - October 2007 Michigan Township News Cover Story
Partnerships Bound for Success: Michigan Festivals & Townships - November 2007 Michigan Township News Cover Story
Taking Care of Our Own: Emergency Responders and Traumatic Stress - December
2006
- January 2006 Michigan Township News Cover Story
Leave No Township Behind: Access to Broadband is Critical to Your Township’s Future - February
- March 2006 Michigan Township News Cover Story
Leading Communities - April 2006 Michigan Township News Cover Story
Matching Development with Infrastructure: Identifying the Cost of Density in Zoning - May 2006 Michigan Township News Cover Story
Come to Order: Parliamentary Procedure and the Township Board - June 2006 Michigan Township News Cover Story
Determining Capital Improvement Projects - July 2006 Michigan Township News Cover Story
Stand Out: Marketing Your Community for the Future - August 2006 Michigan Township News Cover Story
Township Economic Development: Growing Our Communities from Within - September 2006 Michigan Township News Cover Story
Providing Police Protection in Your Township - October 2006 Michigan Township News Cover Story
Meeting the Public’s Expectations and Resolving Ethical Dilemmas - November 2006 Michigan Township News Cover Story
Variance Madness: Trying to Fit a Square Peg in a Round Hole
December
More details
- Got an idea for an article? Contact editor Jenn Fiedler.
- Are you a company looking to reach the township market? Advertising in Township Focus is a great way to reach local leaders!
- Want to place a classified in an upcoming issue? Find out details on how to do so here.
Cover Story: What townships need to know about data centers
Additional articles include:
- The township juggling act: Build a better now—and a better future for your township (Feature)
Act now! Ask your lawmakers to oppose housing preemption attempt (Inside Lansing)
Township expenditures to celebrate America’s 250th birthday (Hello, MTA…?)
GASB 103 and how it impacts townships (Financial Forum)