REGION 8 NOTES
March/April 2008
2008 Goals and Objectives
For the first time, the WMRPC is 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 the following five "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, this method of presenting goals is used throughout this year’s focus areas – the term "focus areas" (used in the past) is replaced with the term "goals and objectives," which is really more in line with a planning organization. Finally, due to space limitations, the objectives are not included in the newsletter (each goal has three objectives listed). Contact the WMRPC if you are interested in seeing a complete list of the goals and the related objectives established for 2008.
Economic Development
Goal #1 – The WMRPC shall maintain an active and productive role with the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA).
Goal #2 – The WMRPC shall keep communities informed of programs offered by the EDA.
Goal #3 – The WMRPC shall maintain a Board and CEDS Committee that meets rules established by EDA.
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.
Goal #5 – While EDA is the primary partner related to economic development, the WMRPC shall actively participate with other community and economic development organizations.
Transportation
Goal #1 – The WMRPC shall maintain an active and productive role with the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT).
Goal #2 – The WMRPC shall maintain an active and productive role with the Michigan Transportation Asset Management Council (TAMC).
Goal #3 – The WMRPC shall maintain an active and productive role assisting with coordinating joint efforts between multiple communities and MDOT.
Goal #4 – The WMRPC shall work with communities and MDOT to assist with any special transportation projects.
Member Services (Other Than Economic Development and Transportation)
Goal #1 – The WMRPC shall assist communities with planning efforts.
Goal #2 – The WMRPC shall assist communities with coordination and cooperation efforts.
Goal #3 – The WMRPC shall provide a variety of educational opportunities.
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.
Goal #2 – The WMRPC will strive to stay up-to-date on issues by actively participating in outside organizations.
Transportation Asset Management
The WMRPC is preparing for the sixth year of collecting data for Michigan’s Transportation Asset Management Program. This is a joint effort between each of Michigan’s regional planning organizations, county road commissions, cities and villages, the Michigan Department of Transportation, Michigan Tech University, Michigan’s Center for Geographic Information, and Michigan’s Transportation Asset Management Council.
Organizations participating in rating the roads (county road commissions and larger communities) must attend "PASER" training (Contact the WMRPC for dates and locations). Ratings will be allowed between April 1 and November 7. Additionally, all cities, villages, and county road commissions must report their transportation investments by April 1 using the internet-based "Investment Reporting Tool" – contact the WMRPC to learn more.
City of Big Rapids Master Plan
The City of Big Rapids is working with the WMRPC and others to update its 1996 Master Plan. The update is in the "kick-off" stage and should be finished by Spring 2009.
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