E-Newsletter Volume 12, Issue 9 / September 2022 |
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Each year, Bay-Lake RPC Staff works with the Sheboygan Stormwater Coalition to provide stormwater education and outreach to the citizens of the coalition. This year, staff attended three farmers markets in Sheboygan County to promote green infrastructure and to have discussions with market attendees regarding stormwater best management practices. Over 40 people stopped by the booth to look at green infrastructure posters, talk, and obtain guides on how to build their own rain garden and the importance of reducing impervious surfaces, and take a stormwater activity booklet. Items were developed by the WDNR, UW-Extension, the Center for Land Use Education, and Utah State University Water Quality Extension. |
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If you are looking to promote stormwater education in your community, please contact Adam Christensen, at achristensen@baylakerpc.org or 920-448-2820 ex. 106, to see how we can help.
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WCMP Grant Cycle Now Open |
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The Wisconsin Coastal Management Program (WCMP) released its 2023-2024 Request for Proposals announcement last month. The WCMP is currently seeking proposals to enhance and restore coastal resources within the state's coastal zone (i.e., all counties adjacent to Lake Michigan/Green Bay). WCMP grant eligible projects must fall under the following categories:
- Coastal wetland protection and habitat restoration
- Nonpoint source pollution control
- Coastal resource and community planning (e.g. outdoor recreation, comprehensive plan elements, resiliency planning, etc.)
- Great Lakes education
- Public access and historic preservation
The WCMP anticipates awarding approximately $1.6 million in grant funding. Applications are due Friday, November 4, 2022.
Interested applicants are encouraged to contact Adam Christensen or Brandon Robinson of the Commission for additional information, or WCMP staff to discuss ideas for project proposals and application requirements. Application materials and the Request for Proposals are available on the WCMP website.
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FEMA - Safeguarding Tomorrow Revolving Loan Fund Program |
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FEMA has established the Safeguarding Tomorrow Revolving Loan Fund to enhance community climate resiliency. This revolving loan fund has been appropriated $500 million, or $100 million per year, through fiscal year 2026. The revolving loan fund will be provided to states to assist local governments fund projects that reduce disaster risks, to satisfy non-federal cost-share match for FEMA Hazard Mitigation Assistance programs, updating building codes adoption and enforcement, and making zoning and land use changes.
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Brownfields Fundamental Panel Discussion |
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Are you interested in financial tools or ideas to address the brownfields in your community? On September 15th, 2022, those interested will have the opportunity to partake in two virtual training sessions held by the WI DNR. The first session will be held from 9:30 am – 11:00 am and will involve a panel of experts from the WI DNR and US EPA to discuss brownfield financial assistance available to WI local governments. The second session will be held from 1:30 PM – 3:00 PM and will involve experienced staff from various WI communities, including the City of Manitowoc, who will share best practices and lessons learned while navigating brownfield redevelopment projects.
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Main Street Bounceback Grant Program Update |
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Bay-Lake RPC is continuing to accept grant applications for the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) Main Street Bounceback Grant program. The grant is available to new businesses that have purchased or leased a vacant commercial space after 1/1/2021 for business. Existing businesses that have expanded into a previously vacant commercial space after 1/1/2021. Lease or deed must be dated on or after 1/1/2021. Additional program eligibility and exclusions can be found on the grant program's webpage. Please note that funding is limited under this program and businesses are not guaranteed grant funds. Bay-Lake RPC is focusing on spaces that meet the square footage requirements and operating at time of completed application submittal.
Since the program began, we have received over 1,350 Intents to Apply and funded 544 applications!
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Updating the long-range transportation plan for the metropolitan planning area continues to be a major task in 2022. Commission staff continued work on the draft Financial Plan of the Year 2050 SATP. Staff also consulted with the WisDOT traffic forecasting staff on travel demand forecast model issues associated with the plan.
The Commission approved minor amendments to the Sheboygan Metropolitan Planning Area Transportation Improvement Program (TIP): Calendar Years 2022 – 2025 at a meeting of the Executive Committee in August. These amendments involved Table 5 (Bicycle and Pedestrian Transportation Projects). A financial plan (fiscal constraint demonstration) accompanied this amendment. The amendments have been submitted to federal and state stakeholders and have been posted to the MPO webpage.
Commission staff started work on the 2023 Sheboygan Metropolitan Planning Area Transportation Planning Work Program and on the Sheboygan Metropolitan Planning Area TIP: Calendar Years 2023 – 2026 in August.
Commission staff are also planning for the 2022 MPO/RPC/WisDOT/USDOT transportation planning conference that will be held at Blue Harbor Resort and Conference Center in Sheboygan October 10th – 12th.
The Sheboygan Transit Commission approved the Transit Asset Management (TAM) plan and targets for Shoreline Metro in August. The plan and targets will be presented to the Sheboygan MPO Technical and Policy Advisory Committees and to the Commission for MPO approval in September.
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Want to help make an impact in our region? Below are links to the public input activities and surveys that are currently open. |
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2022 Community Project Survey |
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Community leaders are encouraged to complete the 2022 Community Project survey to share information about upcoming projects and plans that communities are looking to develop or implement in the next 1-3 years. Survey responses will help the Commission gain a better understating of projects that will be taking place throughout the region and may be used to connect communities with funding and/or assistance needed to complete such projects. Further information related to this survey can be found by visiting https://baylakerpc.org/CEDS. To directly access the 2022 Community Project Survey, click on the following link:
All completed surveys should be submitted by September 30, 2022. Any questions regarding the survey, please contact Jessica Missall.
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Waterfront Project Questionnaire |
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Bay-Lake RPC (Regional Planning Commission) is currently in the process of developing a Waterfront Toolkit. As a part of this Toolkit, we will be showcasing waterfront projects through case studies. To gather the necessary information for these case studies we are asking communities and organizations to complete a waterfront project questionnaire. Any community or organization completing projects within the Great Lakes region or along rivers qualify to participate in the questionnaire. If you are interested in filling out the questionnaire, please utilize this link:
For any assistance with completing the questionnaire, please contact Adam Christensen at achristensen@baylakerpc.org or 920-448-2820 ex. 106.
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Town of Gibraltar Comprehensive Plan Survey |
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The Town of Gibraltar has started updating its 20-year comprehensive plan which will be used as a guidance tool for growth in the town over the next 20 years. The town is asking residents to participate in an online survey that will identify concerns or improvements needed in the community. The online survey is available through October 14, 2022, and can be accessed by clicking on the following link:
Any questions about the Town of Gibraltar Comprehensive Plan should be directed to Brandon Robinson at brobinson@baylakerpc.org or 920-448-2820 ex. 105.
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Upcoming Events & Meetings |
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Sheboygan MPO Technical and Policy Advisory Committees Joint Meeting
Thursday, September 8, 1:00pm
Sheboygan City Hall and Online
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Bay-Lake RPC
Full Commission Meeting
Friday, September 9, 10:00am
Bay-Lake RPC Office
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WEDC Economic
Development Summit
September 20th & 21st
Fox Cities Exhibition Center, Appleton, WI
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- October 10 - 12, 2022 -
2022 MPO/RPC/WisDOT/USDOT Transportation Planning Conference
Blue Harbor Resort and Conference Center, Sheboygan WI
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- October 12, 2022 -
2022 Northwoods Economic Development Summit
8:00 am
Nicolet College Lakeside Center, Rhinelander, WI
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- October 27, 2022 -
Sheboygan MPO Technical and Policy Advisory Committees Joint Meeting
1:00 pm
Sheboygan City Hall and Online
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- October 28, 2022 -
Bay-Lake RPC Executive
Committee Meeting
10:00 am
Bay-Lake RPC Office
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Funding and Grant Opportunities |
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September and October Grant Deadlines
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- WDNR Shooting Range Grant Program (September 15)
- AARP Wisconsin Small Dollar, Big Impact Grant (September 20)
- WDNR Surface Water Grant Program – Pre-Proposals Due (September 22)
- ATC Community Planting Program (September 30)
- ATC Pollinator Habitat Program (September 30)
- FEMA Flood Mitigation Assistance Program (September 30)
- WDNR Clean Water Fund Program (September 30)
- WisNRF Go Outside Fund (September 30)
- WDNR Regular Urban Forestry Grants (October 1)
- FWS North American Wetlands Conservation Act: Small Grants Program (October 14)
- WDOA Rental Housing Development (October 15)
- WEDC Wisconsin Cooperative Feasibility Grant (October 15)
- AARP Wisconsin Small Dollar, Big Impact Grant (October 18)
- WDNR Clean Water Fund Program (October 31)
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Do you want to know more about planning services or grants available? |
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The staff of the Bay-Lake RPC are happy to speak to your boards/councils, committees, organization, or community groups about what is happening in our region. We are also available to assist communities and counties with meeting facilitation.
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