In 2006 the WMRPC was approached by the Cadillac MDOT offices to assist in determining the feasibility of expanding transit services in Mecosta and Osceola counties. The WMRPC worked with a committee consisting of officials from MDOT, the Mecosta Osceola Transit Authority (MOTA), the two counties, and others to determine the feasibility of expanding transit. Many meetings were held, a community survey was performed, key-person interviews were performed, and potential routes were established with the assistance of MDOT. While this was a fairly controversial topic in the two county area, the WMRPC was a neutral body that presented unbiased information for the Committee to consider.

The WMRPC is currently assisting the Montcalm County Transit Committee in determining the feasibility of expanding transit services in Montcalm County. The WMRPC serves on a committee consisting of county officials and agencies across Montcalm County to determine the feasibility of establishing countywide transit services. In addition to serving on the Committee, specific tasks that the Region has performed include assisting in the development of a community-wide survey, and tabulating/analyzing the results of the survey.

The WMRPC worked closely with Osceola County’s Sherman Township to update the Sherman Township Master Plan. The project began in 2006 and was completed early in 2007. The Master Plan was performed with a very small budget, but included a variety of methods of public input, many productive meetings with the Planning Commission, digital mapping, and a very thorough set of goals and objectives for the Township to follow in the implementation phase of the process. During the planning process the issue of wind turbine generators arose, creating the demand for more education of WMRPC staff related to this topic.

Allegan and Ottawa Counties Shoreline Communities Study – This was a four-phase study that spanned the time period between 2001 and 2006 and was performed with funds from the WMRPC, MDOT, and (primarily) MDEQ’s Coastal Management Program.  The WMRPC worked with the 14 shoreline communities in Allegan and Ottawa Counties to identify issues related to growth, planning, and other community issues.  Information included joint demographic information and land use maps, a comparison of community goals, and a build-out analysis for each community. Issues culled from issue identification workshops, a community survey distributed to 3,000 shoreline residents, and interviews with community leaders helped identify issues. The study also compiled a list of programs that communities can use to address growth. 

Economic Development Inventory and Analysis – The WMRPC completed a study in 2006 that inventoried all of the economic development opportunities across the seven-county area.  The key points of the study (funded by EDA and the WMRPC) include:

● Provides the means to create a more focused approach to economic development 

● Developed an inventory of industrial parks and land planned/zoned for industrial uses

● Developed an inventory of economic development programs

● Established recommendations related to the need for additional facilities and programs

● Defined the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats (SWOT) of the seven-county area served by the West Michigan Regional Planning Commission (WMRPC) related to economic development

Allegan County – The WMRPC worked with the Casco Township Recreation Committee to develop the Casco Township Parks and Recreation Plan in 2006/07. Access to Lake Michigan is a key issue in the Township, and one that goes well beyond the goals of a traditional recreation plan. Other issues and actions include developing an active recreation park, and assisting in the acquisition of a natural area along Lake Michigan.

Ionia County – The WMRPC updated the Village of Lyon’s Recreation Plan in 2006/07

The plan focuses on improvements to the Village’s parks, especially Hazel Devore Island Park, which is a unique park situated on an island in the Grand River.  

Montcalm County – The WMRPC is currently updating the Montcalm County Parks and Recreation Plan. Additionally, the WMRPC recently assisted the County in applying for a grant from the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund to build an accessible fishing pier in Krampe Park (currently being evaluated by the MDNR).

The WMRPC updated the Crystal Township Parks and Recreation plan in 2006/2007, which focuses on improving the Township’s active recreation park, David Noll Park. Additional issues include security at parks, administration, and improving the Township’s other parks. The Township was successful in receiving a grant from the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund with the last plan performed by the WMRPC.

Contact Dave Bee if your community wishes to perform a planning project with the WMRPC. Staff is available to assist communities with a variety of planning projects including land use plans and recreation plans. We provide this service at a reasonable cost for communities that do not have the resources to perform plans on their own, or would not have the financial resources to hire a consultant. Projects using the resources of the WMRPC tend to be more of a "team effort" with communities providing part of the effort involved in creating a plan.