BEST Benzie County

History

In 2018, a group of CEO-level champions within the Benzie County community gathered to discuss the need for the Benzie County community to utilize their talents and collaborate to support and promote a cradle to career educational philosophy that would ultimately lead to a culture of continuing education, increased education attainment, life-long learning, and a thriving and healthy community with long-term economic viability. 

By 2019, those leaders had formed such a network BEST (Building Educational Success and Training) Benzie County.  

This collaborative effort works to connect and align current resources and identify and secure new resources to best serve the residents of Benzie County to prepare for and pursue career opportunities that will develop a competitive local workforce and build a vibrant local economy.  

BEST Benzie County shares the vision and values of the Michigan College Access Network and numerous Local College Access Networks throughout the state in the definition and description of “college”: 

“College is postsecondary education, College is a necessity, College is for everyone, College is a public good.“

Goals.

  1. Increase access to high quality preschool for all 3 & 4 year old’s in Benzie County. BEST Benzie County has initiated the goal to increase the percentage of Benzie County 3 & 4 year old’s enrolled in a high quality preschool to 60% by 2030.
  2. Increase college and career readiness, participation and completion by all county students and adult learners. BEST Benzie County has adopted the National and State goal to increase the percentage of Benzie County residents with a post-secondary degree or credential to 60% by 2030.

Reach out to learn more about BEST Benzie County today!

  • BEST Benzie County’s Leadership Team includes membership from the following organizations:

    • Northwestern Michigan College

    • Benzie Area Christian Neighbors

    • Crystal Mountain Resort

    • Benzonia Public Library

    • Benzie Central Schools

    • Frankfort-Elberta Schools

    • Benzie Central Educational Foundation

    • Honor Onekama Building Supply

    • Grand Traverse Educational Foundation

    • Northwest Education

    • Benzie County Administration

    • Benzie Area Chamber of Commerce

    • Honor State Bank

    • Benzie Human Services Collaborative Body

    • Benzie Sunrise Rotary

  • BEST Benzie County is not currently accepting volunteers. The project is proudly supported by unpaid, passionate professionals. To learn more about BEST Benzie County, contact the coordinator Maggie Bacon at maggie@bestbenziecounty.org

  • BEST Benzie County is supported through blended funding from the Michigan College Access Network (MCAN) and collaborative partner support across Benzie County.

  • Learn more about the Michigan College Access Network here: https://micollegeaccess.org