Center for Local, State, and Urban Policy
Center for Local, State, and Urban Policy
CLOSUP was established in 2001 to create a bridge between the University of Michigan and Michigan's communities.
"How can the university help you? How can we partner together?"
— Elisabeth Gerber's listening tour across the state guided CLOSUP's philosophy: policy research should be responsive, collaborative, and directly relevant to communities.
Elisabeth Gerber shakes hands at Applied Policy Seminar
Funding for U-M faculty applied projects begins (2002–2012).
Published Michigan at the Millennium (2003).
Convened a major Michigan economic agenda-setting conference with The Center for Michigan, with over 250 attendees (2006).
Elisabeth Gerber, founding director of CLOSUP
Elisabeth Gerber at podium
Elisabeth Gerber at bus stop
CLOSUP has been an indispensable partner to Michigan's local governments, providing deeply trusted, data-driven insights that strengthen local decision-making.”
Summer Minnick, deputy executive director and chief of staff for the Michigan Municipal League
"CLOSUP helped launch the Education Policy Initiative (EPI) and the Michigan Education Data Center (MEDC) by providing the space and resources to build research-to-practice partnerships. We started projects that still shape education policy today."
Brian Jacob, CLOSUP director 2007–2012
Brian Jacob with a student
The data and reports produced through the MPPS have been invaluable to the League—helping us design programming that is impactful in real time,”
Summer Minnick, deputy executive director and chief of staff for the Michigan Municipal League
Michigan Public Policy Survey (MPPS) launches (2009), targeting leaders from 1,856 local governments.
70%
Response Rate
100+
Reports Published
50,000+
Website Views
Incubated the Education Policy Initiative, Youth Policy Lab, and the Michigan Education Data Center, fueled by foundational studies (e.g., Michigan Merit Curriculum).
Debra Horner and Tom Ivacko present MPPS survey findings
CLOSUP students in Grand Rapids
"CLOSUP provided a platform for conversations and experiments that might not have happened otherwise."
Barry Rabe, CLOSUP director 2012–2019
Informed state and local policy through surveys of residents, farmers, and local elected officials on wind energy, fracking, and renewable energy siting (Wind Project, Fracking Project, Renewable Energy Policy Initiative).
Collaboration with Michigan's Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) launches Michigan Local Energy Survey; CLOSUP-drafted strategy led to EGLE's Catalyst Communities Initiative that helps local governments meet sustainability goals.
Initiated the National Surveys on Energy and Environment, now at Muhlenberg College.
Ann Arbor Mayoral candidates townhall, 2014
Ann Arbor Mayoral candidates townhall, 2014
North American Colloquium partnership with the International Policy Center yields 8 climate policy reports in 2022.
The arrival of Sarah Mills, then a postdoc, reinforced CLOSUP as a launching pad for emerging leaders; her research on renewable energy siting and land use, begun at CLOSUP, now influences state and local policy through the Graham Sustainability Institute's Center for EmPowering Communities.
Sarah Mills
Event with Kevyn Orr, former Detroit emergency financial manager
Event with Kevyn Orr, former Detroit emergency financial manager
Event with Kevyn Orr, former Detroit emergency financial manager
CLOSUP data used in and out of the classroom.
Students touring Detroit
MPPS press conference on road funding, 2015
MPPS press conference on road funding, 2015
“CLOSUP has innovated to help local government provide services and improve quality of life.”
CLOSUP MPPS 10 year anniversary
Tom Ivacko at podium
CLOSUP team
The idea is to offer something free and open-sourced for small cities that might not be able to afford the more expensive product.”
Katrina Wheelan (MPP ’25), who led the development of a tool that modernizes financial reporting
Read more about how Katrina built new tech to support small towns.
Developed 15 strategy memos and webinars to help local governments navigate fiscal challenges during COVID.
Michigan Local Recycling Policy Program launches.
My work with CLOSUP’s Fiscal Health Project student case study series helped me develop a strong foundation in municipal finance, rural governance, and capacity-building strategies.”
Ava Hoffman (BA ’26), chief administrative officer for the City of Deer Lodge, Montana
Hoffman with Mayor of Evart, MI
Redistricting Project supports MI’s bipartisan commission with research. Students analyze over 30,000 public comments in real time (2019-present). CLOSUP’s expertise also proved invaluable to the Michigan Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission (MICRC)
Panelists discuss electoral reform via ballot initiatives, 2018
MICRC panel discussion, 2020
Panelists discuss Michigan’s new approach to redistricting, 2019
Fiscal Health Project launches (2019). CLOSUP becomes a leading academic voice on financial transparency and digital modernization.
“Fiscal health is critical because it underlies the ability of local governments to provide public services—from economic development to public safety, social welfare, clean water, and more.”
CLOSUP connected me with people and projects that put my studies into practice and built hands-on resources for practitioners. I apply concepts I learned from CLOSUP research to every project I’ve worked on since.”
Charles Kargman (MPP ’20), assistant director, Partners for Public Good
Inspired the development of the Canadian Municipal Barometer.
Published the Functioning of Democracy Compendium from 16+ years of MPPS insights.
“My vision is for a public service pipeline—students learning through real, hands-on experiences, then using those skills to serve communities across Michigan.”
—Stephanie Leiser
Focus on fiscal health, everyday operations of a healthy democracy, and resilience of local governments; ongoing collaborations and new custom county-level MPPS reports to inform policy.
Leiser consults on the Government Accounting Standards Board’s Voluntary Digital Financial Reporting project to support local governments and make financial data transparent and accessible.
CLOSUP student research assistants
Debra Horner ARPA presentation, 2025
Expand engagement and support; student-led case studies.
Create new opportunities for hands-on experiences, professional development, and networking; support MPP internships and workshops.
Students presenting research at the Gramlich Showcase
Students presenting research at the Gramlich Showcase
Students presenting at the Gramlich Showcase
This experience pushed me to think critically, sharpened my research skills, and deepened my ability to develop person-centered solutions. It helped inform my approach to community work and has undoubtedly shaped my long-term career interest in shaping rural public policies.”
Steve Kraft (MPP ’25), deputy supervisor of Superior Charter Township
