Imagine Cass

Imagine Cass started with a desire to reignite and create positive momentum in the heart of Cass County, the Village of Cassopolis!  We were fortunate enough to work with Michigan State University and the Sustainable Built Environment Initiative on a visioning, design and planning process that brought the Village, the County the Economic Development Committee and most importantly the entire community together like never before.

While MSU focused on our downtown corridor, the Village worked simultaneously on a new master plan focusing on our neighborhoods, parks, Stone Lake and the Industrial Park in order to have a completed and comprehensive plan driven by our citizens.

Throughout the process we have continued to build bridges of communication between residents, local governments and businesses to share common goals, and have the voices of our residents heard.   We felt a tremendous surge of community energy and witnessed the new enthusiasm and what we learned was that we had a community that was engaged and eager to move forward! 

We began to work on developing a Cassopolis that captured the vibrant, energetic, exciting and connected community that our residents had envisioned.  We began to Imagine Cass and Embrace the Vision.

A look back in time…

Why is Cassopolis ready to move forward?

Check out former Cass County Administrator Karen Folks discussing why this community is so ready to move forward and continue the work we started with Imagine Cass – Embrace the Vision!

What has been the participation level from the Community throughout the Imagine Cass – Embrace the Vision! Movement?

Listen as Wayne Beyea from Michigan State University discusses that the participation and enthusiasm from Cassopolis is the best he has seen in over 100 communities and 15 years of doing this!


How important are the planning efforts to make the Imagine Cass – Embrace the Vision! Project a success?

Troland Clay, former chairman of the Cass County Economic Development Committee discusses igniting the love for the County, and how we put together a strategy to line up process, people and funding to get things done.

Why did you decide to build your business in Cassopolis?

Local business owner, Ted Gogol, Co-Owner of the Lodges at Stone Lakes, discusses why now is the right time for Cassopolis to move forward!

What makes Imagine Cass – Embrace the Vision! different from other campaigns?

Listen as Architect and Planner Jorden Parker, formerly of Wightman, talks about the cooperation between the local partners and residents to make this a cohesive and true plan of the citizens and residents.