The WMRPC continues the trend started in 2008 of using goals from the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) as the economic development portion of the WMRPC Focus Areas. The 2007-2009 CEDS contains two sets of goals, including “Organizational Goals” and the related objectives. The Community and Economic Development Goals and Objectives (also included in the CEDS) are not included in the Focus Areas since they relate more to communities in Region 8. Additionally, other goals and objectives are identified related to areas other than economic development, and three additional sets of goals and objectives are included that are taken from the Supplemental CEDS Reports (Economic Development Goals 6, 7, and 8).
Economic Development
Goal #1 – The WMRPC shall maintain an active and productive role with the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA).
Objectives:
1. Maintain contact with the Economic Development Representative for Michigan through telephone calls, e-mails, or personal contacts including EDA sponsored conferences. Contact will be made with the Economic Development Representative at least monthly.
2. The WMRPC will meet or exceed the rules set forth by EDA for maintaining and Economic Development District – including staffing, WMRPC representation, CEDS Committee representation, the development of a CEDS, seeking additional funds for planning projects, and the proper administration of EDA funds.
3. The WMRPC will respond to any request for information from EDA within two (2) business days.
Goal #2 – The WMRPC shall keep communities informed of programs offered by the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA)
Objectives:
1. The WMRPC will annually solicit community projects for inclusion in the CEDS.
2. The WMRPC will regularly provide information about EDA using Commission and CEDS Committee meetings, newsletters, the Internet, and other means of communication.
3. The WMRPC will coordinate meetings between EDA and communities interested in EDA funding for specific economic development projects.
Goal #3 – The WMRPC shall maintain a Commission and CEDS Committee that meets rules established by EDA.
Objectives:
1. The WMRPC will be comprised of public and private sector representatives appointed by member counties and communities. Private sector representatives will make up at least 35 percent of representatives. The WMRPC will also have three at-large members.
2. The CEDS Committee will be comprised of public and private sector representatives appointed by member counties and communities. Private sector representatives will make up the majority of CEDS Committee members. The CEDS Committee will also have at least two at-large members.
3. Staff of the WMRPC will maintain an up-to-date list of WMRPC Representatives and CEDS Committee members and will regularly survey members to determine if membership is current.
Goal #4 – The WMRPC shall promote coordination between counties, cities, townships, villages, the federal government, the State of Michigan, non-profits and other community-based organizations.
Objectives:
1. The WMRPC will continue to disseminate information through WMRPC meetings, CEDS Committee meetings, speakers, newsletters, mailings, telephone calls, the internet, and other means; and the WMRPC will continue to serve as the regional clearinghouse for federally funded projects.
2. The WMRPC will inform members of state, federal, and local programs through regular speakers at Commission and CEDS Committee meetings.
3. The WMRPC will encourage the identification and used of “best practices” by identifying new and better ways that member communities are accomplishing community development. Additionally, the WMRPC will consider creating an Intergovernmental Cooperation Committee.
Goal #5 – While EDA is the primary partner related to economic development, the WMRPC shall actively participate with other community and economic development organizations.
Objectives:
1. The WMRPC will maintain an active relationship with the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC), the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) and other state agencies that promote community and economic development.
2. The WMRPC will actively participate in the Michigan Association of Planning (MAP) and the Michigan Economic Developers Association (MEDA).
3. The WMRPC will regularly invite local economic and community development organizations to WMRPC and CEDS Committee meetings.
Goal #6 – The WMRPC will review the CEDS Project Evaluation Criteria to insure they reflect the current needs of Region 8’s Communities and the EDA Investment Policy Guidelines.
Objectives:
1. Staff will use the new Evaluation Criteria when soliciting projects.
2. The CEDS Committee will notify communities of the new criteria.
3.
The WMRPC and CEDS Committee will begin using the
new set of Evaluation
Criteria when developing the 2010-2012 CEDS.
Goal #7 – The WMRPC and the CEDS Committee will develop a process to expand the CEDS Committee’s role in project selection.
Objectives:
1. Recognizing that there are a limited number of projects that EDA and other agencies can fund each year, the WMRPC and the CEDS Committee will develop, along with the new CEDS Project Evaluation Criteria, a method for the CEDS Committee to select projects that would provide the greatest positive impact to Region 8’s member communities.
2. In addition to evaluating CEDS projects on a region-wide basis, the WMRPC and the CEDS Committee will develop a method to evaluate projects that would benefit sub-regions within Region 8 (recognizing that there are sub-regions within the seven-county area).
3. The WMRPC and CEDS Committee will establish sub-regions, made up of two or more counties each that reflect the varied economic development issues across Region 8.
Goal #8 – The WMRPC and the CEDS Committee will continue to expand the involvement of the private sector representatives on the WMRPC and the CEDS Committee.
Objectives:
1. Expand the use of the private sector e-mail list to create ongoing dialog between the private sector representatives.
2. Continue to seek interested private sector representatives from the member communities.
3. Continue to seek and follow recommendations from EDA related to expanding the involvement of the private sector in the CEDS.
Transportation
Goal #1 – The WMRPC shall maintain an active and productive role with the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT).
Objectives:
1. Maintain contact with the primary MDOT representative through telephone calls, e-mails, or personal contacts. Contact will be made with the MDOT Representative at least monthly.
2. Maintain contact with local MDOT representatives (Regional Offices and Transportation Service Centers) through telephone calls, e-mails, or personal contacts.
3. Expand rural opportunities with MDOT through Asset Management and other transportation-related initiatives.
Goal #2 – The WMRPC shall maintain an active and productive role with the Michigan Transportation Asset Management Council (TAMC).
Objectives:
1. Expand role of Transportation Asset Management Program in Region 8 by informing communities of the benefits of asset management.
2. Involve WMRPC Planner in additional transportation asset management roles, such as education, and improved county/community compliance with reporting requirements.
3. Continue to follow the activities of the Michigan Transportation Asset Management Council.
Goal #3 – The WMRPC shall maintain an active and productive role assisting with coordinating joint efforts between multiple communities and the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT).
Objectives:
1. Continue to participate in the M-40/M-89 and M-66 Corridor Committees.
2. Continue to participate in the Greater Greenville Area Transportation Committee and seek funding when appropriate to move project forward.
3. Work with any new corridor initiatives that may form.
Goal #4 – The WMRPC shall work with communities and the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) to assist with any special transportation projects.
Objectives:
1. Work with MDOT to print the map of non-motorized facilities in MDOT’s Grand Region.
2. With the assistance of members, identify, and seek funding for, a 2010/2011 transportation planning project.
3. Promote an expanded role of the WMRPC in transportation planning, and respond to any request from MDOT to expand the role of the Regional Planning Commission in transportation planning.
Member Services (Other Than Economic Development and Transportation)
Goal #1 – The WMRPC shall assist communities with planning efforts.
Objectives:
1. Seek communities interested in performing master plans, recreation plans, and other planning efforts in partnership with the WMRPC.
2. Maintain information and technical capacity to provide technical assistance (data, GIS, analysis, etc.) to communities to support planning efforts.
3. Develop proposals for member planning projects, but strive to not compete with private sector planning consultants by not answering general requests for proposals.
Goal #2 – The WMRPC shall assist communities with coordination and cooperation efforts.
Objectives:
1. Work with Howard City and Reynolds Township to develop a Joint Master Plan. Use this example, and others, as a way to promote coordination and cooperation between communities in Region 8.
2. Continue to function as the Regional Clearinghouse Review Agency for federal funding programs.
3. Review and comment on all plans forwarded to the WMRPC and strive to maintain an up-to-date library of local plans.
Goal #3 – The WMRPC shall provide a variety of educational opportunities
Objectives:
1. Publish six editions of “Region 8 Notes,” update the “Grant and Loan Opportunities” publication, maintain “Information Center,” and maintain website (wmrpc.org) to meet the needs of our local units of government and other organizations.
2. Inform the WMRPC and CEDS Committee of various issues and programs using speakers and other resources.
3. Host Regional Event(s) such as transportation asset management training, transportation forums, recreation workshops, or other types of events.
Additional and New Initiatives
Goal #1 – The WMRPC shall seek new opportunities and strive to follow new initiatives that can influence the Region’s future.
Objectives:
1. Continue to work with the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality’s Coastal Management Program to identify planning opportunities in Region 8.
2. Continue to devote time and energy towards renewable energy, especially related to wind turbine generators, in order to provide information to members as this growing issue evolves in Michigan. Seek available funding to assist in effort
3. Emphasize Value Added Agriculture as an economic development tool in both urban and rural areas, as a tool for farmland preservation, and as a tool for preserving rural character. Seek available funding to assist in effort.
Goal #2 – The WMRPC will strive to stay up-to-date on issues by actively participating in outside organizations.
Objectives:
1. Participate with Michigan Association of Regions (MAR) on activities to increase the value of regions statewide. Attend (Director/Planner) the annual MAR/MTPA Conference in East Lansing and the MAR Policy Sessions when and if scheduled (Director/WMRPC Representative).
2. Attend the Michigan Association of Planning (MAP) Conference in Detroit and serve on MAP’s Government Relations Committee (Director). Planner can choose either the MAP Conference or a GIS-Specific conference.
3. Continue to follow MSU’s United Growth for Kent County (Director).
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