Sarah Lucas, formerly the Community Development Director for Networks Northwest and most recently the CEO of the Lake Superior Community Partnership in Marquette County, has been selected to lead Michigan's newly created Office of Rural Development starting April 18.

Governor Gretchen Whitmer established the Office of Rural Development - part of the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) - to focus on the strategic needs of rural Michigan, including economic and workforce development, infrastructure, public health, and environmental sustainability.

"Having spent most of her career in small towns and rural areas in northwest Lower Michigan and the Upper Peninsula, Sarah has deep connection and understanding of the challenges facing our rural communities. Her 20-plus years of passion and experience will serve Michiganders well," said MDARD Director Gary McDowell in a statement. "Rural Michigan is a fundamental part of Michigan's economy. This new office will play a crucial role in supporting MDARD’s efforts and leading new ones as we work together to build a more prosperous rural economy."

As the Deputy for Rural Development, Lucas will serve as the state's point of contact for community leaders on urgent rural issues. Lucas, AICP, has a 20-year career in community and economic development in small communities and rural areas in Michigan, leading a variety of cross-sector initiatives and planning efforts. Locally, in addition to her work at Networks Northwest, Lucas led the development of Housing North, a regional organization devoted to policy and communications solutions to housing needs in Northwest Lower Michigan. After relocating to Marquette in 2020, she worked with the Western Upper Peninsula Planning and Development Region to develop a regional economic development plan for “building back stronger” in the region’s post-pandemic economy.

Lucas serves on several regional and statewide boards, including the Community and Economic Development Association of Michigan, the Economic Development Leaders of Michigan, and the Michigan Association of Planning, where she currently serves as Board President. She is a graduate of Eastern Michigan University and is currently an MPA candidate at Northern Michigan University. She lives in Marquette with her husband and their three boys.