REGION 8 NOTES

 

 

May/June 2004

 

Should Grants Define Your Community’s Future?

 

Communities often request information about what grants are “out there” with very little regard for the grants’ intentions or purposes.  Using available grants can be an appropriate way to make community improvements – if the projects are defined as necessary steps to reach a preferred future, or vision. 

 

Ideally, your Community Leadership should identify community goals through land use plans, master plans, downtown plans, recreation plans, economic development strategies, transportation plans, capital improvement schedules, or other documents.  These goals should identify actions necessary to implement the goals, time frames, and potential funding sources.  Once plans, goals, and actions are identified, it is a great time for communities to identify available grants.  Sometimes there are suitable grants available, but sometimes a little creativity is necessary to mold a program to address your community needs.  Other times there are no good matches – but if new grant opportunities appear in the future that match your community’s vision, you are several steps closer than all of the other communities that do not have clear visions defined.

 

If your community has a clear vision of its future, it should have a good list of projects necessary to reach that vision.  Once this list is in-place, it is a lot easier to determine if a grant is available, or appropriate, for your community. 

 

Another point to consider is that many grants are very competitive.  Your community may not qualify on its first attempt.  Try again – but do not just resubmit the same materials.  Talk with the grant provider, determine your application’s weaknesses, and work to strengthen your next proposal.  A strong, well-presented application is absolutely necessary for any consideration.  Grant providers are looking for projects that communities can carry out and that will succeed.  A poor application is not going to promote the “can-do” attitude necessary for receiving a grant.

 

Finally, if your community feels strongly enough about a project, but cannot obtain a grant, you may have to consider other options.  If a project is essential for reaching a goal, it would be a shame for the leadership to not make every possible effort to carry out their vision. 

 

While we are not in the business of writing grants for communities, we would be more than happy to review applications to increase your chances for success.  

 

 

Census Information Requests

 

The WMRPC receives many requests for U.S. Census information.  We are glad to provide this information to anyone that needs it, but it helps to have a specific goal when requesting information.  The Census includes hundreds of categories of information for every community.  Just providing “everything you’ve got” is not really feasible – nor will it necessarily provide the correct information.  If you are not certain what you need, tell us what you are planning on doing with the information and we can probably help you target the correct information.  Census data needs vary from filling in a missing blank on a grant application, to a complete community profile for a new master plan.  Any of the staff at the WMRPC can assist in gathering information, but it makes our task a lot easier if you know what type of information is necessary to meet your needs.  For larger requests, or if you are interested in seeing the variety of information available, you may wish to set up a time to come into our office.

 

 

Recreation Grant Applications

 

The Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund (MNRTF) is adding a second deadline for development applications.  If your community has a recreation project planned, the August 1st deadline is an opportunity to request funds. An up to date recreation plan is required to seek funds from the MNRTF.  Contact the WMRPC for more information.

 

New E-Mail Addresses

 

The West Michigan Regional Planning Commission (WMRPC) has new e-mail addresses.  You can reach us at the following addresses:

 

Important Dates

 

May 26, 2004 – CEDS Committee

June 18, 2004 – WMRPC Board

September 17, 2004 – WMRPC Board

September 29/October 2, 2004 – Michigan Society of Planning Conference

October 6, 2004 – CEDS Committee

December 10, 2004 – WMRPC Board

 

 

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