Read the latest news from the RPCGB |
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RPCGB awarded an EPA Brownfields Assessment Grant |
The RPCGB has been awarded a $500,000 EPA Brownfields Assessment Grant. This grant allows RPC and its partners to inventory, characterize, assess, conduct a range of planning activities, develop site-specific cleanup plans, and conduct community involvement related to brownfield sites. RPC will be partnering with PM Environmental, Jefferson County, Walker County, and the City of Cordova for this ongoing project. |
Economic Impact Modeling Program |
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The RPCGB Economic Development Department has launched a new Economic Impact Modeling program. With this program we can model specific impacts of economic development projects within communities using IMPLAN Economic Software. From these analyses, member governments will be able to better understand small- and large-scale effects of their projects and more effectively plan future development efforts. For more information on this program, please contact Sarah Thomas, Economic Development Coordinator at sthomas@rpcgb.org. |
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Welcome our Summer interns! |
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The Economic Development Team will be joined by two new interns for the summer, Trevor Felixbrod and Hanxi Zhu. They will play an integral role in assisting our department with the five-year update of the CEDS. |
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Trevor Felixbrod is currently a student in the University of Alabama’s Master of Public Administration program. |
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Hanxi Zhu is a an upcoming senior at New York University majoring in economics and classics. |
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Current grant and funding opportunities: |
Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA)Community Development Block Grant (CDGB) Program
Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC)
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ADECA Alabama Community Broadband and Technical Assistance Program |
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The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA) is planning to kick off the Alabama Community Broadband Technical Assistance Program (ACB TAP), a competitive program that will provide technical assistance for communities seeking to expand broadband infrastructure and services in response to the critical need for internet access around the state. To kick off the project, ADECA is holding three webinars to provide information about ACB TAP, broadband infrastructure, and recent federal broadband funding. Separate registration for each session is required; click the links to register.
June 30, 2022, from 12:00 p.m. – 12:45 p.m. CT
This webinar explains the fundamentals of broadband infrastructure, technology, and strategy for communities.
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June 30, 2022, at 1:00 p.m. – 1:45 p.m. CT
This webinar explains ACB TAP and the upcoming Technical Assistance Application.
June 30, 2022, at 2:00 p.m. – 2:45 p.m. CT
This webinar explains the updated federal broadband funding landscape given recent information on the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.
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If your community or organization needs grant writing or application assistance, RPCGB is here to help. For questions about funding application assistance, please contact Jesslan Wilson, Economic Development Specialist, at jwilson@rpcgb.org or 205-264-8417.
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Community Planning is busy making an impact across the region! |
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Projects recently completed or adopted:
Morris Master Plan:
The Morris Planning and Zoning Board adopted the city’s first master plan earlier this month. Visit the project website at www.MorrisMasterPlan.com to learn more and view the plan. |
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Fairfield Master Plan:
In March of this year, the Fairfield Planning and Zoning Commission adopted the new master plan, which was developed by a consultant team led by PlaceMakers LLC.
The plan focuses on three main topics: enhancing economic development, addressing abandoned and dilapidated housing in the Inter Urban Heights neighborhood, and infrastructure improvements.
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Irondale Comprehensive Plan Update:
In December 2021, the Irondale Planning and Zoning Board adopted this update to the city’s 2016 Irondale on the Move Comprehensive Plan.
The consulting firm of KPS assisted the RPCGB with creating redevelopment and policy ideas for three focus areas: Downtown Irondale, Grants Mill Station, and the I-459 at Grants Mill Road area.
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Project currently in progress: |
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Shelby County Comprehensive Plan Update:
The RPCGB is current working with the Shelby County Development Services staff to develop a new countywide comprehensive plan to replace the 2004 Shelby County Comprehensive Plan.
Visit the project website at www.PlanShelbyAL.com to view the kickoff phase public involvement results, the Draft Existing Conditions and Trends Report, and to stay up to date with plan meetings.
The Draft Future Development Map will be released at public meetings in early August.
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Projects being developed through On-Call Planning Assistance contracts to support the RPCGB’s Building Communities Program: |
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Moody Comprehensive Plan: The consultant team of Kimley-Horn and Associates and PlaceMakers LLC kicked off this planning effort earlier this month. A website will be forthcoming.
Argo Comprehensive Plan and Zoning Ordinance: The consulting firm of Goodwyn Mills Cawood (GMC) is in the process of developing the city’s first Comprehensive Plan and a new Zoning Ordinance. Visit the project website at www.ArgoAlive.com to learn more about the planning process.
Helena Comprehensive Plan: The consultant team led by MKSK and Sain Associates is developing the city’s new Comprehensive Plan. A public open house will be held on June 28th at the Helena Community Center. To register for this event and learn more about the planning process, visit the project website at www.HelenaComprehensivePlan.com.
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The RPCGB has recently initiated a regional safety studies project: |
The RPCGB secured federal funding for and has initiated a regional study focused on improving safety on our roadways. The project is called “Technical Assistance for Safety Project Planning (TASPP)”. The funding is 100% federal so there are no local matching funds required. The goals of the study are:
- Analyze safety data and prepare Safety Profiles
- Help local leaders to:
- Identify safety issues in their jurisdiction
- Understand how to select safety countermeasures
- Develop and find funding for safety improvement projects
- Increase road safety advocacy in the Birmingham region
- Encourage a Safe System approach to managing local transportation systems
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May is National Bike Month |
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May is National Bike Month, and CommuteSmart celebrated National Bike to Work Day on Friday, May 20, 2022. This year we collaborated with Redemptive Cycles and created one “energizer station” at their location. Our goal was to continue encouraging people to bike to work and celebrate those who already do! This location had free coffee and giveaways for participants who stopped by. Redemptive Cycles offered free safety checks for everyone who registered for Bike To Work Day. We had 41 participants in this event!
If you are interested in having your cyclists participate in this annual event, please reach out to Ms. Jeniese Hosey at jhosey@rpcgb.org. |
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In April, the CommuteSmart team presented their program and highlights for FY2021 to the Metropolitan Planning Organization committee members. With gas pricing rising to new highs, CommuteSmart wants to remind Jefferson and Shelby County businesses what an excellent transportation resource we are.
CommuteSmart is a free service, and we can assist your employees in forming vanpools and carpools to get them back and forth to work.
You can contact us to find out more information about our program at 1-87-RIDEMATCH and by visiting the CommuteSmart website at: www.commutesmart.org. |
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August is Vanpool Appreciation Month! |
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CommuteSmart will be celebrating Vanpool Appreciation month in August with giveaways, goody bags, and social media content! |
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Alabama Partners for Clean Air |
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APCA is happy to announce the Drive Electric Alabama EV Summit! |
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All electric vehicle enthusiasts are welcome to attend this summit on September 21-22, 2022. View vendor booths, listen to seminars, and learn more about the state’s plan to boost charging infrastructure with other EV aficionados.
For more information, click here. |
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Heart of Alabama Rural Planning Organization |
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The RPCGB assists rural communities with technical assistance and safety studies. It also assists with education of transportation processes and identification of issues and needs for future projects. To learn more about HARPO click here.
Rural planning funds have been approved to extend the Technical Assistance for Safety Project Planning (TASPP) project described in the "Transportation Planning" section above into the rural counties in HARPO. The project consultant and team will be reaching out to officials in Blount, Chilton, St. Clair, and Walker Counties to discuss the details of the study and solicit input on local safety needs. Similar to the study for the MPO area, this work will not require matching funds from local governments.
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In 2021, Medicaid Waiver:
- Secured $30,000 in grant funds through the Lucille Besson Foundation to provide emergency assistance to clients
- Served 882 disabled or elderly individuals throughout the metropolitan area, saving the $65 million in funding
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Thanks for reading Roundabouts! |
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We hope you have enjoyed this quarterly edition of RPCGB’s Regional Roundabouts. For additional information about RPCGB services, please contact us by filling out the form at www.rpcgb.org/contact-us or calling 205-251-8139. |
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“Cities have the capability of providing something for everybody, only because, and only when, they are created by everybody.” – Jane Jacobs |
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