Vibrant NWI
NWI’s economy is thriving, our people are well educated, growth is
planned, and natural and agricultural areas are valued and protected.
Spotlight

The League of American Bicyclists (LAB) created the Bicycle Friendly Community (BFC) program in 1995 to provide a roadmap to improving conditions for bicycling. To date, there are 488 recognized BFC’s in the United States, with designations ranging from Bronze to Diamond status.  

Up until last year, there were no BFC designated communities in the NIRPC Region. That changed in May of 2019 when Valparaiso was designated a Bronze Level BFC, joining 10 other communities in Indiana with such recognition. The Valpo Parks Department partnered with the Valparaiso Pathways Committee in preparing the application, which included input from city officials, their police and fire departments and Valparaiso Community Schools.

Their application demonstrated progressive success in several key areas that are necessary for the recognition. These areas include infrastructure improvements, bike-related events, bicycle-friendly ordinances and an active citizens group. A prime factor in receiving the designation has been Valpo’s continued expansion of their pathways system which now encompasses more than 20 miles, with even more funding for imminent development.

Becoming a BFC takes time, but the results pay off with a community safely connected together, and not hostage to unsafe streets and intersections. Outcomes such as people commuting by bike, kids riding to school and reduction of automobile crashes are key factors in the designation process. These outcomes are the result of the employment of the 5 “E’s” including enforcement, education, engineering, evaluation and encouragement.

NIRPC certainly encourages your community to strive for BFC status, and you can learn more by visiting League of American Bicyclists .
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Economy and Place
Environment
Mobility
Indiana Among the World's Top Places to Visit in 2020!

When Frommer’s, a trusted travel adviser for more than 60 years, releases a list of top destinations, people pay attention.

With America’s newest national park reaching a year of parkhood it is no surprise Frommer’s Best Places to Go in 2020 features Indiana.

Officially designated in February 2019, Indiana Dunes National Park hosted a record number of visitors in 2019, and 2020 should bring even more explorers to enjoy beaches, hiking and an incredible ecosystem that is among the most biodiverse in the National Park System!

Read the full article here.
Indiana Tree Steward Program Training Event

For those interested in supporting community forests and expanding their volunteerism skillset, consider attending the Indiana Community Tree Steward Program training event on May 15th -16th at Gabis Arboretum in Valparaiso.

The program is only offered three times per year throughout the state by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources’ Community & Urban Forestry. 

This two-day course includes a mix of in-the-classroom and outdoor learning; introducing urban forestry topics like:


  • soils
  • tree physiology
  • tree care and maintenance
  • identifying tree defects
  • diagnosing tree pests and diseases
  • tree selection
  • benefits of trees
  • tree identification
  • volunteer opportunities
  • proper pruning
  • proper planting 


Attendees are asked to then use their skills by volunteering 15 hours of service to local communities to improve or maintain the urban forest.

If you would like more information about the program or would like to register please visit the Indiana Department of Natural Resources Community & Urban Forestry page here .
NIRPC Gearing to Launch Performance Based Planning Annual Dashboard

Have you ever wondered what the longest section in the NWI 2050 plan is?

The Action Plan section, which houses the Progress to Measure subsection details 98 performance measures. The metrics in this section are used to gauge progress in the region that work toward quantifiable performance measures derived from NWI 2050.

These are performance measures that NIRPC staff can use data to measure and monitor over time. The performance measures are organized by the sixteen critical paths.

Some examples of performance measures include: number of fatalities (on the transportation system), average walk score in “Main Centers” (downtown and otherwise densely populated areas of cities and towns), and percent adults reporting physical inactivity.

NIRPC staff will be posting an interactive and user-friendly Annual Performance Based Planning Dashboard to the NIRPC website beginning in January 2021 so viewers can track these performance measures.

To learn more on the performance measures, please view pages 167-218 of NWI 2050 here.
Participate!
Land Use Committee Meeting
  • February 6th
  • 10:30 AM
  • Dune Room, 6100 Southport Road Portage, IN 46368
  •   Link for more information
  • Questions? Contact Eman Ibrahim at 219-254-2506
  •  Can’t make it in person? Watch it on YouTube
FED 2020: Food Expo & Discussion
Funding Opportunity!
  • The Indiana State Department of Health’s Division of Nutrition and Physical Activity has a tactical urbanism demonstration grant to fund the design and implementation of low-cost, pop-up projects that support active living in Indiana communities.
  • Applications due February 20, 2020.
Ped, Pedal, Paddle Committee Meeting
  •  February 6th
  • 1:30 PM
  • Lake Michigan Room, 6100 Southport Road Portage, IN 46368
  •   Link for more information
  • Questions? Contact Mitch Barloga at 219-254-2518
  • Can’t make it in person? Watch it on YouTube
Emissions Testing Educational Event
Funding Opportunity!
  • The Office of Community and Rural Affairs’ Quick Impact Placebased Grant will fund space enhanced public art projects.
  • Applications due March 6, 2020.
Technical Planning Committee Meeting
  •  February 11th
  • 10:00 AM
  • Lake Michigan Room, 6100 Southport Road Portage, IN 46368
  •   Link for more information
  • Questions? Contact Mitch Barloga at 219-254-2518
  • Can’t make it in person? Watch it on YouTube
South Shore Clean Cities Annual Conference
  • February 25th
  •  8:00 AM - 2:30 PM
  •  Blue Chip Stardust Event Center, 777 Blue Chip Drive, Michigan City, IN 46360
  •  Link for more information
Funding Opportunity!
  • The Office of Community and Rural Affairs announced round 2 of the Next Level Connections Broadband Grant application. The grant is designed to promulgate access to reliable and affordable broadband service.
  • Letters of Intent are due by February 6, 2020.
  • The full application deadline is April 10, 2020. 
Transportation Resources Oversight Committee Meeting (Lake & Porter County)
  •  February 25th
  • 9:00 AM
  • Lake Michigan Room, 6100 Southport Road Portage, IN 46368
  •   Link for more information
  • Questions? Contact Charles Bradsky at 219-254-2509
  • Can’t make it in person? Watch it on YouTube
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Transportation Resources Oversight Committee Meeting (LaPorte County)
  •  February 25th
  • 1:00 PM
  • LaPorte Parks & Recreation Department
  •   Link for more information
  • Questions? Contact Charles Bradsky at 219-254-2509
  • Can’t make it in person? Watch it on YouTube
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