The CEDS process is the first step for communities interested in obtaining a grant from the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) for projects related to job creation. The annual CEDS process is usually wrapped up by this time every year, but due to changes in the EDA the process in our region is being extended for a couple of months. The CEDS document will be reviewed by the CEDS Committee on August 30 and the Board of the WMRPC on September 15. From there it will be sent to EDA for approval.

Two changes that EDA is requesting from our Region are to have a CEDS Committee that is comprised of a majority of private sector representatives and EDA is requesting that our Board be comprised of at least 35 percent private sector representatives. The WMRPC Board amended its bylaws at its June 16, 2006 meeting to require each member to appoint a private sector representative to the Board (in addition to two public sector representatives). The Board also adopted a set of guidelines for the CEDS Committee that requires each member to appoint one public sector representative and one private sector representative. Letters will go out to each member detailing the changes.

The Michigan Transportation Asset Management Program is well into its fourth year. Three years worth of data have been collected for all federally funded roadways, the "internet reporting" system is in place for communities to report information, and the Asset Management Council held its first conference on May 10th in East Lansing. Locally, training was held June 28th for evaluators and all of the counties that work with the WMRPC to perform ratings (Allegan, Ionia, Mecosta, Montcalm, and Osceola) are scheduled. Kent and Ottawa counties also work with the WMRPC, but the scheduling is done through the three Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs). Contact the WMRPC if you have any questions about the Asset Management Program.

The WMRPC recently completed an inventory and analysis of programs and physical resources related to economic development in our seven counties. The study was funded by EDA and the WMRPC. The document includes a description of major federal and state programs as well as local economic development organizations. It also identifies Renaissance Zones, the City of Grand Rapids’ Smart Zone, Certified Industrial Parks, other industrial parks, and chambers of commerce.

A survey of all of the communities in the region is included, with most of the results presented in a mapped format. The study also included a SWOT analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats) that was created through interviews with people from across West Michigan. The WMRPC has submitted this project to the Michigan Association of Regions for an "Innovative Project" award. The WMRPC would like to thank all of the people and communities that provided information and input for the project.