E-Newsletter Volume 11, Issue 3 / March 2021 |
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Check Out Our New COVID-19 Portal! |
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The Bay-Lake RPC COVID-19 Response and Recovery Portal is an online interactive website that local communities and businesses can use as a one-stop-shop when responding to and recovering from COVID-19. The portal contains COVID-19 related information on available funding opportunities, recovery guides/toolkits, upcoming events and workshops, and more! The portal also contains an interactive dashboard that maps economic and health trends within the region.
The COVID-19 Portal was made possible through the EDA CARES Act funding.
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Bay-Lake RPC Technical Assistance Grant Recipients |
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Thank you to all communities that applied for the Bay-Lake RPC 2021 Technical Assistance Grant program. We received a total of seven applicants, and the following communities were awarded technical assistance grants:
- The Village of Lena - Evaluation of Municipal Technology
- The City of Niagara - Zoning Map Update
- The City of Oconto Falls - Downtown Grant Funding Assistance
This program is offered annually as a value-added benefit to the member counties and communities of the Bay-Lake RPC.
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Northeast Wisconsin Coastal Resiliency Study |
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The Bay-Lake RPC has released the Northeast Wisconsin Coastal Resiliency Portal which was created for the ongoing Coastal Resiliency project for the counties of Kewaunee, Manitowoc, and Sheboygan. The online portal provides resources, maps, and data to help lakeshore communities understand what has been taking place and what can be done.
Within the next couple of months community assessments and virtual field visits will take place to gain a better understanding of how our coasts are being impacted and how communities can better prepare for the future. An online public form has been created for users to submit recommendations on where a virtual site visit should be made. UW SeaGrant is assisting Bay-Lake RPC with this project.
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Any questions related to the Northeast Wisconsin Coastal Resiliency Study can be sent to Brandon Robinson at brobinson@baylakerpc.org.
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The Shoreline Metro Transit Development Program (TDP): 2021 – 2025 was approved by the Sheboygan Transit Commission for the transit operation in mid-February. The Sheboygan MPO Technical and Policy Advisory Committees recommended approval of the TDP for the MPO at their joint meeting in late February, and the Commission is scheduled to approve the plan for the MPO at its March meeting. The TDP webpage can be found here.
Commission staff continued to work with Shoreline Metro staff to modify the transit operation’s Public Transit Agency Safety Plan (PTASP) in response to comments raised by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) PTASP Technical Assistance Center (TAC). The Sheboygan Transit Commission also approved the revised PTASP for Shoreline Metro at its meeting in mid-February. MPO approval was not necessary, as the PTASP targets did not change from what was approved by the Commission in December 2020. The revised PTASP can be found here.
A second set of minor amendments to the Sheboygan Metropolitan Planning Area Transportation Improvement Program (TIP): Calendar Years 2021 – 2024 is currently being processed. This amendment modifies one transit capital item, adds two Wisconsin Employment Transportation Assistance Program (WETAP) projects that cover multiple counties (including Sheboygan County), and makes cost adjustments to one street and highway project. The Sheboygan MPO Technical and Policy Advisory Committees recommended approval of the minor amendments at their joint meeting in late February, and the Commission is scheduled to approve the minor amendments at its March meeting. The minor amendments will be posted to the MPO webpage after they have been approved.
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EDA Build to Scale Program - Now Available |
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EDA is now accepting applications for the Build to Scale program! This $38 million funding opportunity fuels tech-based economic development in regional economies. The deadline for applications is April 29th, 2021.
This program is comprised of 2 competitions - the Venture Challenge and the Capital Challenge. Funding is available for organizations that aid companies in developing the next generation of technologies. The Venture Challenge seeks to support entrepreneurship and accelerate company growth in communities and regions, while the Capital Challenge increases access to capital in communities where risk capital is in short supply.
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2021 CDBG-PF Competitive Grant - Now Open |
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The application period is now open for the 2021 Community Development Block Grant – Public Facilities (CDBG-PF) annual competitive grant, which makes up to $10M available to assist communities to expand and improve public infrastructure and facility projects. Examples of eligible projects include improvements, repairs, or expansions of streets, drainage systems, water and sewer systems, sidewalks, fire stations, libraries, community centers, and more. Successful applicants can receive up to $1,000,0000 in CDBG funding toward the total project cost. The application submission deadline is 4:00 p.m. on May 13, 2021.
Bay-Lake RPC is available to assist member communities with preparing an application. Contact Sydney Swan to learn more about the program or for grant writing assistance.
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Sheboygan County Hazard Mitigation Plan |
The Sheboygan County Hazard Mitigation Plan: 2020 – 2025 was approved by the Sheboygan County Board at its January meeting. The Sheboygan County Emergency Management Director also invited incorporated municipalities within the county to approve the plan, which qualifies them for Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) funding in certain categories. To date, the plan has been approved by the City of Sheboygan and the Villages of Cedar Grove, Kohler and Oostburg.
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Shoreline Metro Transit Development Program (TDP) 2021 - 2025 |
The Shoreline Metro Transit Development Program (TDP): 2021 – 2025 was approved by the Sheboygan Transit Commission for Shoreline Metro in mid-February. The Sheboygan MPO Technical and Policy Advisory Committees recommended approval of the TDP for the MPO at their joint meeting in late February, and the Commission is scheduled to approve the plan for the MPO at its March meeting.
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Want to help make an impact in our region? Below are links to the open public input and surveys that are currently available.
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Upcoming Events & Meetings |
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EDA Nuclear Funding 101 Webinar
Thursday, March 4th, 1:00pm
Virtual Webinar
On Thursday, March 4th at 1:00 PM, Smart Growth America will host a webinar to help prospective applicants with the application process. This webinar will be most useful for communities impacted by the closure of the Dominion Power Station in Kewaunee.
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Bay-Lake RPC Full Commission Meeting
Friday, March 12th, 10:00am
Virtual Conference
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Be sure to check in with the Bay-Lake RPC COVID-19 Portal for any new and upcoming events/workshops.
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- April 29, 2021 -
Sheboygan MPO Technical and Policy Advisory Committees Joint Meeting
1:00pm (Virtual)
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- April 30, 2021 -
Bay-Lake RPC Executive Commission Meeting
10:00am (Virtual)
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Available Grant Opportunities |
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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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