Here's a great example of why Scenic Michigan advocates for thoughtful sign control.
Bon Appétit Magazine recently published an article about dining in southwestern Michigan — one of our most beautiful regions — and the very first sentence of the article pulls the entire focus of the story to one thing: billboards.
When a nationally recognized food publication can't describe a trip to one of Michigan's most scenic areas without immediately noting the visual blight of commercial signage along the highway, it tells you everything you need to know about the scope of the problem.
The billboards don't just affect the experience of driving through our state. They affect how people describe Michigan to others. They shape the first impression — and sometimes the lasting impression — that visitors take home with them. When the opening line of a glowing restaurant review mentions billboards, the scenic damage has already been done.
Why This Matters for Michigan's Economy
Tourism is one of Michigan's largest industries. Visitors come for our lakes, our forests, our charming small towns, and our world-class food scene. Every billboard that clutters a scenic highway corridor undermines the very experience those visitors are seeking.
Communities that invest in their visual character — through thoughtful sign ordinances, landscaping, and design standards — consistently see stronger economic performance in their downtowns and commercial districts. The evidence is clear: scenic quality drives economic vitality.
What You Can Do
Support Scenic Michigan's work by becoming a member or making a donation. Your support directly funds the legislative advocacy that keeps billboard companies from weakening Michigan's protections. Together, we can ensure that the next article about Michigan's dining scene leads with the food, not the billboards.