|
February 2024
The Southeastern Regional Planning and Economic Development District is here to provide updates about upcoming events, ongoing projects, grant opportunities, and technical assistance opportunities throughout the year.
Correction: The previous version of this newsletter included malfunctioning links to recently completed OSRPs. Please explore the recent OSRP with functioning links below.
| |
|
MassBike Funding 101 with Rails to Trails Webinar
February 26, 12:00 – 1:00 PM
Virtual
| |
|
JTPG Meeting
February 13, 2023 2:00-3:00 PM
Hybrid, SRPEDD Office in Taunton
| |
SMMPO Meeting
February 20, 1:00 – 2:30 PM
SRPEDD Office, Taunton
| |
Freetown Master Plan Traveling Workshop
February 22, 10:30 AM – 1:00 PM
James White Memorial Library, Freetown
| |
SRPEDD Commission Meeting
February 28, 6:30 – 8:00 PM
Virtual
| |
Climate Pollution Reduction Grant Public Workshop
February 13, 6:30 – 8:00 PM
February 15, 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM
Virtual
| |
Route 28 Corridor Study Community Workshop
March 19, 5:30 – 7:30 PM
Wareham Council on Aging/ Multiservice Center
| | |
|
SRPEDD's Environmental Department recently assisted service communities with annual reporting for the Commonwealth’s Green Communities program. Staff were available to help navigate the Department of Energy and Resources’ (DOER) new streamlined reporting form in Mass Energy Insight (MEI)– a web-based interface for tracking municipal energy use.
Last year, the Marion, Plainville, and Seekonk met the 20% energy reduction goal as outlined by the Green Communities Division (GCD). Congratulations to our member communities who received funding through the Green Communities Program this year!
-
Fairhaven was awarded $125,810 to fund energy conservation measures, weatherization, pipe insulation, and administrative assistance, in municipal facilities including Hastings Middle School, Fairhaven High School, Police and Fire Buildings.
-
Plainville was awarded $199,984 fund energy conservation measures, VRF heat pump system and administrative assistance, in municipal facilities including Jackson Elementary School.
Learn more about the Green Communities program and how SRPEDD can help your community meet its energy goals at srpedd.org/green-communities.
| |
|
SRPEDD is seeking individuals to join our Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) Task Force, to guide the development of our Regional Safety Action Plan over the next two years. Among other goals, the Action Plan will identify various types of improvement options, with consideration to cost effectiveness, for high crash locations that will increase roadway safety and significantly reduce and eliminate roadway fatalities and serious injuries for all users, including pedestrians, bicyclists, public transportation, and motor vehicles. This work has been generously funded by a U.S. DOT SS4A action plan grant, with matching funds provided by the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT).
Individuals affiliated with and/or representing vulnerable road users (e.g., pedestrians, cyclists), disadvantaged communities, or those with multi-jurisdictional and/or regional perspectives are especially invited to apply.
Please visit the SRPEDD website for more information about the Task Force and application instructions.
| |
|
SRPEDD’s region covers a diverse set of rural, suburban, and urban communities. Recent work conducted by the agency's Economic Development Department highlights SRPEDD’s capabilities of supporting economic and cultural growth in Southeastern Massachusetts.
The Dighton Economic Development Plan – approved by the Dighton Board of Selectmen in 2023 - explores economic opportunities in a rural town faced with balancing economic growth and maintaining its quiet, small-town character. The report includes an overview of Dighton’s existing conditions, key site recommendations, and town-wide recommendations.
SRPEDD also completed a collaboration with the City of Fall River’s tourism initiative, Viva Fall River. Staff worked with project stakeholders to develop a visually engaging guide of important Arts and Culture institutions in the community.
| |
Cover of Dighton Economic Development Plan. Click to read full report. | |
Map From Viva Fall River Tourism Pamphlet - Click to view full version | |
|
Both projects serve to promote and highlight the these communities' existing character while demonstrating the possibility for economic growth and inviting diverse people and groups to participate in local economies. Interested in completing similar projects for your community?
Contact Lizeth Gonzalez, Director of Economic Development at lgonzalez@srpedd.org for more information.
| |
|
Online Handbook for Massachusetts Select Board Members
Offers comprehensive guidance on the full range of roles and responsibilities of Select Board members, fully updated to reflect changes to MA laws and regulations, and includes emerging issues such as diversity, equity and inclusion and climate change.
New MUTCD Release
In December 2023, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) released the 11th edition of the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices for Streets and Highways (MUTCD). The MUTCD is the national standard for traffic control devices, including signs, signals, and pavement markings, used regularly by transportation professionals on all public roads, bikeways, or private roads open to public travel. The new MUTCD includes pedestrian safety enhancements such as the rectangular rapid-flashing beacon and crosswalk marking patterns that are proven to be more visible as well as updates intended to improve safety for bicyclists and all road users.
Federal Funds Partnership
A new working group that meets monthly to provide targeted updates on federal funding opportunities and connect municipal leaders across Massachusetts with resources for technical assistance and state-matching funds
| |
|
2024 District Local Technical Assistance (DLTA)
Application Deadline: February 16, 2024
Through DLTA, cities and towns work with SRPEDD to plan for economic growth, support the Community Compact Cabinet's (CCC) Best Practices Program, and/or plan for housing, including projects that support the Housing Choice Initiative and Multi-Family Zoning for MBTA Communities.
Contact Grant King at gking@srpedd.org for more information
| |
|
USDOT’s Bridge Investment Program
Planning Application Deadline: February 19, 2024
Bridge Project Application Deadline: March 19, 2024
Provides Bridge Project grants of $2.5 million+ each and Planning grants for projects to replace, rehabilitate, preserve, or protect one or more bridges on the National Bridge Inventory (NBI).
Contact Andrea Duarte at aduarte@srpedd.org for more information.
| |
|
Accelerated Repair Program (ARP)
Statement of Interest Submission Deadline: March 1, 2024
The Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) is accepting Statements of Interest (SOI) forms for school construction and repair projects. The ARP Program focuses on preserving existing assets by performing energy-efficient and cost-saving upgrades. The SOI allows districts to inform the MSBA about deficiencies in a local school facility and how they inhibit the delivery of the educational program. The 2024 cycle will go towards funding for the partial or full replacement of roofs and windows/doors.
Contact Andrea Duarte at aduarte@srpedd.org for more information.
| |
|
AARP Community Challenge Grant
Application Deadline: March 6, 2024
Government agencies and nonprofits can apply for $500 - $50,000 grants for quick action projects that improve livability for older adults and others. New funding categories added this year include Bike Audits and equitable engagement to reconnect communities that have been divided by infrastructure.
Contact Andrea Duarte at aduarte@srpedd.org for more information.
| |
|
Municipal Fiber Grant Program
Application Period: March 11 - April 12, 2024
Supports municipalities in closing critical gaps in municipal networks and achieving goals related to cyber security, internet bandwidth, records management, centralized and proactive management of IT infrastructure, security camera management, emergency operations, and more.
Contact Maria Jones at mjones@srpedd.org for more information.
| |
|
Carbon Utilization Procurement Grants
Application Deadline: April 30, 2024
The Department of Energy is providing grants of $50,000 - $500,000 with a 50% match to help states, local governments, and public utilities purchase and use products developed through the conversion of captured carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide emissions. The goal is to speed up adoption of advanced carbon management technologies, creating a market for environmentally sustainable alternatives in fuels, chemicals, and building products sourced from captured emissions from industrial and power generation facilities.
Contact the Environmental Department at enviro@srpedd.org for more information.
| |
|
Section (§) 604(b) Water Quality Management Planning Grant and CWA §319 Nonpoint Source Competitive Grant
Application Deadline: Late Spring 2024
Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection’s (MDEP) Watershed Planning Program provides funding for water quality assessment and management planning (604(b) Grants) and implementation (319 Grants) projects that address the prevention, control, and abatement of nonpoint source (NPS) pollution. Eligible entities include: regional planning agencies, councils of governments, conservation districts, counties, cities and towns, and other sub state public planning agencies and interstate agencies. Planning grants are roughly $50,000 while implementation grants range between $50,000 - $500,000. No local match is required.
Contact the Environmental Department at enviro@srpedd.org for more information.
| |
|
Community One Stop for Growth Program
Application Deadline: June 5, 2024
The Community One Stop for Growth is a single application portal and collaborative review process of community development grant programs that make targeted investments based on a Development Continuum. This process streamlines the experience for the applicant and better coordinates economic development programs and staff on engagement and grant making. It also reorients the State from a passive reviewer of funding requests to an active partner in economic development strategy, priorities, and investment.
Contact Grant King at gking@srpedd.org for more information
| |
|
Environmental and Climate Justice Community Change Grant
Application Deadline: November 21, 2024
The EPA is providing 150 large community-driven grants of $10 -$20 million for projects that benefit disadvantaged communities by reducing pollution, increasing community climate resilience, and building community capacity to address environmental and climate justice challenges. An additional 20 grants of $1-$3 million each will be provided for activities that meaningfully engage disadvantaged communities in governmental processes to advance environmental and climate justice. Partnerships of community-based organizations, local governments, higher education institutions, and/or Federally-Recognized Tribes are eligible to apply.
Contact the Environmental Department at enviro@srpedd.org for more information.
| | |
|
|
While at Bridgewater State University Joe worked as an intern in the Transportation Department during the summer doing data collection and GIS work before continuing his internship in the Homeland Security Department during his last semester of college. During his internship in Homeland Security Joe created the map for the Southeast Regional Homeland Security Advisory Council of important inventory items stored in the 97 communities under the council’s jurisdiction that would be used by police and firemen in emergency response situations. After graduating with a degree in Environmental Planning and Conservation, Joe started work full time at SRPEDD as Homeland Security Specialist. Joe also spends time working on Environmental Planning projects.
Living in Falmouth, Joe is a passionate conservationist and an avid outdoorsman and spends most of his free time fishing and hunting. Joe volunteers with the Association to Preserve Cape Cod as a herring monitor for the Connamessett River.
| | |
|
|
Laura is passionate about sustainability and using data to make informed decisions about our built environment. She brings a strong background in statistics, programming and creative design. After graduating Northeastern University with a Master’s in Geospatial Services, she joined SRPEDD as a Senior GIS and Data Planner.
Throughout her academic journey, Laura has been interested in applying and improving her programmatic skills to find interdisciplinary solutions. During her time at the Barnegat Bay Partnership, she used habitat mapping to contribute to wetlands conservation efforts in New Jersey. Prior to that, she worked at Apprentice Learning, a Boston-based school program where she realized the importance of keeping the community at the heart of policy and planning decisions. She believes that a well-planned city is a balancing act between often competing priorities and hopes to use her analytical skills to help find that balance.
| | |
|
Route 28 Corridor Study
SRPEDD is evaluating opportunities for transportation and land use improvements from Cushman Street in Middleborough, through Rochester, to Charlotte Furnace Road in Wareham. Come talk to our team about improvements you'd like to see at our community workshops in March!
| | |
|
Fall River Open Space and Recreation Plan
SRPEDD is working with the City of Fall River to support the realization of high-quality open space and recreation facilities.
| | |
|
Freetown Community Master Plan
Over the next two years, Freetown will create a new Master Plan, also called a Comprehensive Plan, that will help guide the town moving forward. We are currently seeking responses to the comprehensive survey and opportunities to speak at community events.
| | |
|
Slade's Ferry Neighborhood Plan
The Town of Somerset, with assistance from SPREDD, will create a renewed strategy that will help guide development in the Slade's Ferry Neighborhood.
| | |
|
Climate Pollution Reduction Grant
As a portion of the Providence-Warwick Metropolitan Statistical Area, SRPEDD is working across state lines with officials in Rhode Island alongside all 27 SRPEDD member communities to understand emission trends across the region and create an action plan to reduce these emissions into the future.
| | |
|
Rochester Master Plan
Rochester is updating its Master Plan that will help guide the town moving forward. The project team recently hosted the first Advanced Topics Workshop covering Land Use, Housing, Economic Development, and Transportation.
| | |
|
Regional Pedestrian Plan
SRPEDD is currently updating the region’s Pedestrian Plan which lays out our existing needs, collective vision, and action steps for achieving more walkable communities and neighborhoods throughout Southeastern Massachusetts.
| | |
|
We are looking for self-motivated, reliable team players committed to growing and excelling in a hybrid collaborative environment.
Please click here to view all of SRPEDD's employment opportunities.
| |
| | |
|
88 Broadway
Taunton, MA 02780
Phone: 508-824-1367
Fax: 508-823-1803
| | | | |
