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Farmland Preservation Planning in the Bay-Lake Region
Many counties in northeast Wisconsin are in the process of updating their Farmland Preservation Plans. The Farmland Preservation Plan is an opportunity for counties to take stock of the role that agriculture plays in their local economy and to ensure that farmland continues to have a place in each county's landscape. Land that is included in a Farmland Preservation Area may participate in other aspects of the farmland preservation program, such as Farmland Preservation Zoning and Agricultural Enterprise Areas. For more information about the farmland preservation program, contact DATCP or Rich Heath.
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Get a FREE Love Lake Michigan T-shirt or Pint Glass!
Take the pledge to Love Lake Michigan at LoveLakeMichigan.org and send an email to let us know if you want a t-shirt or pint glass. That's it!   
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Open Commissioner Positions
 There are three commissioner vacancies on the Bay-Lake Regional Planning Commission. We are seeking interested individuals who reside in Kewaunee, Marinette, and Florence counties to serve 6-year terms on the Commission. These positions are filled through Governor appointment with input from each of the individual counties. If you are interested in learning more about becoming a Commissioner, as well as the application process, please contact Richard Heath. |
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2015 Regional Transportation Work Program
 The Commission is finalizing its transportation work program for 2015. The Commission has maintained this program for rural areas outside of the Sheboygan Metropolitan Planning Area through ongoing funding from the levy, Wisconsin Department of Transportation, and Federal Highway Administration. The program enables staff to work with local municipalities and counties to advance and improve their entire transportation network and infrastructure. Services through the program include planning, grant writing, technical assistance for specialized transportation, airports, rail systems, highways and roads, and non-motorized trails. If your community is seeking assistance for enhancing any of its modes of transportation in 2015, please contact Brandon Robinson for more information.
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Free Technical Planning Assistance
EPA is offering free technical assistance through the Building Blocks for Sustainable Communities program to help communities achieve their desired development goals, improve quality of life, and become more economically and environmentally sustainable. The program provides quick, targeted technical assistance to communities using tools with demonstrated results and widespread application. The purpose of delivering these tools is to stimulate a discussion about growth and development and strengthen local capacity to implement sustainable approaches. Communities may apply for assistance on one or more of the following topics:
- Bikeshare planning
- Equitable development
- Infill development for distressed cities
- Sustainable strategies for small cities and rural areas
- Flood resilience for riverine and coastal communities
Applications will be accepted until November 20, 2014. EPA will select up to 25 communities through a competitive process. If selected, a community will work with an EPA-supported team of experts during a one-to-two-day workshop, where participants will learn about relevant strategies, policies, and practices.
The Bay-Lake RPC is available to assist interested communities in the Region with the application process. Please contact Angela Pierce if you would like to pursue this opportunity.
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DATCP Local Food Seminars
The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection (DATCP) has scheduled a series of seminars to provide local food producers with valuable information on how to sustain and grow their agri-business. The information shared through these seminars can be applied to lumber, dairy, apples, grains, or any other agricultural crop found growing throughout the state. The Commission is promoting these educational opportunities and resources offered by DATCP to help grow the rich and very diverse agriculture economy in the region. Commission staff is available to assist local officials and partner organizations seek additional resources to grow their local economies by supporting emerging entrepreneurs, expanding existing businesses, and making sites and buildings available for new companies.
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Workshops for Planning and Zoning Officials
The Center for Land Use Education (CLUE) at UW - Stevens Point is providing a series of workshops for planning officials on a variety of topics, and are being held at a number of locations around the state.
Planning and Zoning Workshops for Local Officials
Polk County Government Center, Balsam Lake, WI
November 13, 2014, 6:00-8:00 PM - Updating Your Comprehensive Plan
Current Issues Affecting Local Government Officials
Teleconference series held the first Monday of each month from 10:00-11:00AM:
December 1, 2014 - Local Government's Demographics Challenge and Implications for Counties and Communities
January 5, 2014 - Changes in Tax Incremental Financing (TIF)
February 2, 2014 - Wisconsin Legislative Preview
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Sheboygan MPO Update
The 2015 Sheboygan Metropolitan Planning Area Transportation Planning Work Program was recommended for approval by the Sheboygan MPO Technical and Policy Advisory Committees on October 23, 2014, and was approved by the Commission on October 31, 2014. Commission staff has been involved with final editing of this document, which will be transmitted to WisDOT and FHWA by mid November.
The draft Sheboygan Metropolitan Planning Area Transportation Improvement Program (TIP): Calendar Years 2015 - 2018 has been released for public review through December 11, 2014. A public hearing on the 2015 - 2018 TIP will be held on December 3, 2014 at 4:00 p.m. at the Sheboygan County Administration Building. The MPO advisory committees will review the draft 2015 - 2018 TIP and the Commission will take action on the document in December. A minor amendment to the 2013 - 2016 TIP was also processed between August and October.
Progress continues on the Year 2045 Sheboygan Area Transportation Plan (SATP). Commission staff has prepared much of draft Chapter 6 (Transportation and Land Use), and is gathering materials to write draft Chapters 7 (Recommended Transportation Plan), 8 (Mitigation of Environmental Impacts of Major Transportation Projects), and 9 (Financial Plan). Output from the travel demand forecast model in 2045 will soon be reviewed with members of the MPO advisory committees. Commission staff has also been in communication with WDNR Bureau of Air Management staff regarding the conformity analysis that will be conducted on the plan.
Please contact Jeff Agee-Aguayo for additional information.
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Available Grant Opportunities
The following is a list of upcoming grant opportunities and their due dates. Please contact the Commission if you have a project idea, or need assistance with preparing or administering a grant, or if you are interested in partnering with the Commission on a project. |
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To submit information for consideration in future newsletters, send an email to [email protected]. Include your name, community/organization, and contact information in the body of the message. |
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An Economic Development District & Metropolitan Planning Organization serving Northeast Wisconsin for over 40 years.
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To submit a request for an EMSI Analyst Query, please complete and submit this form:
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ANNOUNCEMENTS
December 2
December 12, 10AM Full Commission Meeting, Green Bay
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STAFF CONTACTS
Richard Heath
Executive Director
Jeff Agee-Aguayo
Transportation
Planner
Richard Malone
Office Accounts
Coordinator
Angela Pierce
Natural Resources
Planner
Brandon Robinson
Community Assistance
Planner
Joshua Schedler
GIS Coordinator
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