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Providing cooperative planning and funding solutions to foster
healthy and thriving communities within the region.
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An Economic Development District serving Northeast Wisconsin for nearly
50 years.
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CONTACT US
(920) 448-2820
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STAFF
Cindy
Wojtczak
Executive Director
Assistant Director
Emily Pierquet
Administrative Assistant
Ext. 101
Madison
Smith
Environmental Planner
Ext. 106
Nicole
Barbiaux
GIS Specialist
Ext. 104
Sydney Swan
Economic Development Planner
Ext. 108
Harry Graham
Community Assistance Planner
Ext. 109
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E-NEWSLETTER VOLUME 10, ISSUE 1/January
2020
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Technical Assistance Grant
REMINDER!
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The Bay-Lake RPC is once again offering its Technical Assistance Grant Program to its member communities where they could receive free professional planning assistance on small-scale plans or projects. Eligible projects must fit within the Commission's work program and fall under the categories of community planning, economic development, mapping/visualization, environmental, or transportation.
If you want t
o apply, click
here
. Applications are due by 4:30 p.m., January 31, 2020.
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Input Requested on Several Local Planning Projects
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Several jurisdictions in the region are in the early stages of updating their local plans. Kewaunee County is updating its Outdoor Recreation Plan, while the Village of Cedar Grove and the cities of Gillett and Peshtigo have initiated their comprehensive planning efforts and would like your help as they plan for future growth and preservation. As a result, the Bay-Lake Regional Planning Commission (BLRPC) has developed a number of opportunities for citizens and property owners to provide input on these projects.
Kewaunee County is asking for input from citizens and other stakeholders on its Outdoor Recreation Plan update through an online survey and an interactive online portal. In addition to the survey, the interactive online tool provides users with the ability to pinpoint specific areas of concern on a map, as well as identify areas recommended for future improvements. The Kewaunee County survey and interactive tool is currently available here.
The Village of Cedar Grove is utilizing on online survey to gather information from citizens and property owners regarding the present state and future growth of the Village. Cedar Grove's community survey will be open until February 14, 2020. Click here for survey.
The cities of Gillett and Peshtigo are in the process of finalizing their surveys for their comprehensive plan updates. The surveys for both communities will be available sometime in February, and will remain open into March 2020.
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USDA ReConnect Program:
Broadband Funding
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The Rural Utilities Service (RUS) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is seeking applications for funding and financing to facilitate the deployment of sufficient broadband Internet in rural areas. The RUS may award grants on a rolling basis to public and private entities that meet the eligibility requirements laid out in Section VI of the Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA). Successful applicants will demonstrate a financially feasible and sustainable plan to implement sufficient access to broadband Internet. Eligible applicants may apply for a grant, a low-interest loan, or a 50/50 grant/loan combination.
This online application will open on January 31, 2020. Applications and comments must be uploaded to the RUS online application portal by 5:00 p.m. CST Monday, March 16, 2020.
More information about this funding opportunity is available at the ReConnect program website or by emailing the RUS.
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City of Manitowoc
Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan
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Bay-Lake RPC staff held a kick-off meeting January 16, 2020, with city staff to begin the planning process for a city-wide Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan. This plan will identify opportunities and challenges existing within the current bicycle and pedestrian network and develop recommendations for the creation and connection of a comprehensive trail network for bicyclists, walkers, joggers, and other outdoor recreation enthusiasts throughout the City of Manitowoc. Bay-Lake RPC is in the process of creating a project page that will contain information about the plan, upcoming meetings/events, interactive surveys, and more. This project page will be hosted on our website.
If you have any questions about this plan, please contact Sydney Swan.
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New Opportunity Zone Tool
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More than 8,700 opportunity zones have been designated across the United States, established as part of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, and are intended to foster long-term private sector investments in low-income communities. The U.S. Economic Development Administration and Indiana University's Kelley School of Business recently launched the
USA Opportunity Zones tool.
This new web-based tool will help Bay-Lake Regional Planning Commission, an EDA-designated Economic Development District (EDD), as well as local economic and community developers and investors, target private investment to economically-distressed areas where private investment may be eligible for capital gain tax incentives under the bipartisan Opportunity Zones initiative.
If you have any questions regarding Opportunity Zones, please contact
Sydney Swan
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Kewaunee County
Invasive Species Update
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 As 2020 gets underway, Bay-Lake RPC will be working with Kewaunee County to help control invasive species. This is the third and final year of our EPA GLRI grant designed to target and rid the area of Phragmites, Japanese Knotweed, and Wild Parsnip by chemical and mechanical treatments. All landowners seeking treatment on their property MUST fill out a 2020 permission form and submit it to Bay-Lake RPC prior to August 31, 2020. Forms can be found here: Landowner Permission Forms. Please take a moment to help us identify invasive species in Kewaunee County by clicking here: Online Interactive Map.
In February, the Bay-Lake RPC will be issuing an RFQ for contractors to treat invasive species in Kewaunee County for 2020. For more information on this, please contact Madison Smith.
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Manitowoc County
Green Infrastructure Code Audit
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 Bay-Lake RPC has completed a second green infrastructure code audit within the region. Working alongside Manitowoc County, Bay-Lake RPC analyzed the county
's
code to highlight areas to which code language was either prohibitive or a barrier to encouraging green infrastructure techniques. This project was funded by Fund for Lake Michigan and fostered by an audit tool created by Sea Grant. With fluctuating water levels and increased storm water runoff in many areas throughout northeast Wisconsin, it is important to consider incorporating green infrastructure practices and educate residents, county staff, and elected officials. The completed document can be found on our website. If you would like Bay-Lake RPC to work with your county or community and help assess barriers to green infrastructure, please contact
Brandon Robinson
or
Madison Smith
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Oconto County
Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
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Bay-Lake RPC and Oconto County have begun updating the county's hazard mitigation plan. State, local, tribal, and territorial governments engage in hazard mitigation planning to identify risks and vulnerabilities associated with natural disasters and develop long-term strategies for protecting people and property from future hazard events. Staff will be sending out required preliminary updates to clerks within Oconto County including a list of critical facilities and mitigation strategies.
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Upcoming Events/Meetings
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January 30, 2020, 1:00 p.m.
Sheboygan MPO Technical and Policy Advisory Committees Joint Meeting
Sheboygan City Hall, Sheboygan
January 31, 2020, 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
BLRPC Executive Committee Meeting
Commission Office, Green Bay
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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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Available Grant Opportunities
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The following is a list of upcoming grant opportunities and their due dates. Please contact the
Commission if you have a project idea, or need assistance with preparing or administering a grant, or if you are interested in partnering with the Commission on a project.
Please contact
Emily Pierquet for any links that are not working properly. Thank you!
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