Act 173: What Is It and What Does It Mean for Communities?

Is your community’s comprehensive plan ready for 2028? Wisconsin Act 173 aims to help address the state’s housing affordability challenges by making housing development more predictable.

Starting January 1, 2028, cities and villages with zoning ordinances will need to map housing growth areas and establish residential density ranges in their comprehensive plans. Learn what’s changing, what your community should review now, and how CARPC can help.

Dane County Remains Wisconsin’s Fastest-Growing County

Dane County continues to lead Wisconsin’s 72 counties in population growth since the 2020 Census, ranking first in both the number of residents added and percentage growth. That’s according to the Wisconsin Department of Administration’s population estimates for January 1, 2026.

The county’s population grew by 10.7%, compared with 2.1% for the other 71 counties combined. Dane County accounted for roughly 35% of Wisconsin’s total growth, with gains from both people moving to the county and births outnumbering deaths.

WI Salt Wise Updates

Upcoming Winter Equipment Open House

The Dane County Highway Department and WI Salt Wise are teaming up for a Winter Equipment Open House from 9 to 11 a.m. on Tuesday, October 20, at the Dane County Highway Eastside District Campus. If you haven’t signed up yet, there’s still time!

It’s a chance for local communities, policymakers and anyone involved in winter maintenance to check out equipment up close and connect with others doing similar work. Attendees can swap ideas, talk about what’s working in their communities and bring back practical tips to share with their teams.

Get Ready for 2027 Winter Salt Week

Winter Salt Week is back January 25–29, 2027! Hosted by our very own WI Salt Wise, this nationwide awareness campaign features webinars and events focused on winter salt use and its impact on our water.

Want to follow along? Register now to receive a calendar invite, plus reminders and links throughout the week.

Funding Opportunities

2027 Alliant Energy Foundation Community Grants

Applications for Alliant Energy Foundation’s 2027 Community Grants open Monday, November 2. Grants support projects focused on hunger and housing, workforce readiness, environmental stewardship, and community safety and engagement.

Eligible projects may include tree planting, trail and park improvements, environmental education, disaster preparedness and more.

Nonprofits, communities and public entities serving Alliant Energy’s service area can apply. Questions? Contact foundation@alliantenergy.com.

An Alliant Energy Foundation Community Grant helped CARPC and the Wisconsin State Cartographer’s Office team up to offer GIS and mapping training for local youth.

Solar for Good Grants: Apply by October 31

Applications for RENEW Wisconsin’s Solar for Good fall grant cycle are open through the end of the month!

The program helps Wisconsin nonprofits, public schools and houses of worship switch to solar energy—lowering energy bills and reducing reliance on fossil fuels.

Thinking about applying? You’ll need to get site assessments from one or more reputable solar companies, choose an installer and get a formal proposal with the size and cost of your project.

Hear the Latest on the Regional Transportation Plan Update

The Greater Madison MPO is updating Pathways to 2050, the Regional Transportation Plan, which guides transportation priorities and investments across the region.

The second round of public involvement meetings will focus on future transportation conditions and how community input is shaping the plan. Virtual meetings will be held November 9 and 11, with the same information presented at each session.

Week Without Driving: Walk & Roll Audits

This year’s Week Without Driving took place October 1–8, with nine Dane County communities, the Greater Madison MPO and CARPC recognizing the week.

AARP Wisconsin also led two Walk & Roll Audits, bringing elected leaders, staff and community members out into local neighborhoods to see what getting around is like. Together, they talked about what’s working and what could make walking and rolling easier and safer. The Cap Times came along—check out the story to hear what participants had to say!

You don’t have to wait until next year to try this in your own community. Walk & Roll Audits can happen anywhere in Dane County, any time of year. If you’d like to host one or include one in your community’s planning efforts, reach out to Darrin Wasniewski at AARP Wisconsin.

Commission Activities

OCTOBER COMMISSION MEETING SUMMARY