Author

Justin A. Hinkley, Bridge Michigan

Justin Hinkley is regional editor at Bridge Michigan, overseeing coverage of northern and western Michigan and working to reach communities in news deserts left by the decline of local papers. He has worked in journalism for two decades, beginning as a cub reporter at his hometown paper, the Battle Creek Enquirer, before working as an investigative journalist at the Lansing State Journal and then serving as managing editor and publisher of the Alpena News.

Born and raised in Battle Creek, Justin now lives in Alpena with his wife and son.

Bride Michigan is part of the Southwest Michigan Journalism Collaborative, a group of 12 regional organizations dedicated to strengthening local journalism. Visit swmichjournalism.com to learn more.

Justin A. Hinkley, Bridge Michigan's Latest Articles

Michigan counties, towns spend $30B a year. Could collaboration get more done?

By Justin A. Hinkley, Bridge Michigan

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News

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August 12, 2026

Berrien County leaders recently established a new nonprofit that works to keep housing affordable. It’s an example of cooperation that policymakers wish happened more often among the state’s 1,856 counties, cities, townships and villages. Collectively, those local governments spend more than $30 billion a year, according to US Census data, including $1.7 billion in state revenue sharing.