Bits and Pieces: A Weekly Update from the Strafford Region

Planning

SRPC's Communities for Healthy Aging Transitions (CHAT) project, which is focused on assessing age-friendliness in the region, is allowing SRPC staff the opportunity to connect with residents and municipal staff and volunteers in all of its 18 communities. These efforts are in partnership with staff from the Greater Seacoast Community Health Network.

Ongoing outreach is being scheduled to allow for staff to collect important qualitative information to inform community reports being prepared for each municipality. In addition, SRPC had the unique opportunity to partner with Professor Mary Friedman's Topics in Community and Environmental Planning class for assistance with outreach and data gathering. At their class on Mar. 10, students presented key data points they believed should be included in the quantitative portion of the reports. They will soon assist with collecting information for the finalized data points for each of the 18 municipalities. This is being done as their capstone project.

Outreach events, designed as an interactive community Zoom forums, are currently being scheduled. This week an event for the towns of Lee, Madbury and Rollinsford was solidified for Mar. 30 from 6:30 - 8 p.m., and Dover's community Zoom forum will take place next week on Mar. 25 at the same time. If you live in any of these communities please consider registering for and attending your respective forum. We want to hear from you!

Can't make it, or can't wait to share your thoughts? Please take our online survey.

Learn more about the project at http://strafford.org/services/CHAT.php.

Pieces of Interest

Jane Jacobs and the Power of Women Planners

The Workings of a Planning Board Webinar

Transportation

Save the Date for CommuteSMART Seacoast's upcoming B2B Challenge, a favorite amongst Seacoast area companies for igniting friendly competition between businesses and encouraging commuters to try new modes other than driving alone during the month of May.

With many telecommuting, companies have a leg up to increase their chances at climbing the leaderboard and going for the glory. Hosted this year by staff at the Rockingham and Strafford Regional Planning Commissions, this challenge continues the signature program of CommuteSMART Seacoast built by retired Transportation Management Association (TMA) manager Anne Rugg.

This team based challenge kicks off May. 1, and team captains of companies who have previously participated are asked to register your teams using CommuteSMART Seacoast's online form. New team members can then register and join your team, or past participants can simply login to the trip logger on May 1 to start competing. New companies interested in participating should also fill out the same form, noted above. Information about the team captain kick-off meeting will be publicized soon.

In addition to the B2B Challenge, the Statewide Challenge is being held synchronously this year, with the linked promotion of "two challenges, one trip logger." This means teams will be able to see how they stack up on the statewide level too! If your businesses is located outside of the Seacoast and you want to participate, register by sending your business name, address and number of total employees to admin@commutesmartnh.org.

Contact info@commutesmartseacoast.org with any questions!

Pieces of Interest

Bus Stop Balancing, Explained

Economic Development

Strafford Economic Development District (EDD) staff have continued to host weekly Seacoast Economy calls, which provide an opportunity for municipal staff and other stakeholders to connect and share resources most often focused on response and adaptation to the COVID-19 pandemic.

On this week's call stakeholders discussed the New Hampshire Emergency Rental Assistance Program (NHERAP) which is being implemented to provide eligible NH residents assistance with rent and utilities due to implications of the COVID-19 pandemic. This program is targeted towards individuals who are past due on rent or utilities, are concerned about having the resources to pay future rent, or need to relocate in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Applications are submitted to the resident’s regional Community Action Partnership (CAP)

agency. To determine which entity that is use the "Find Your Local CAP Agency" tool.

For specifications on eligibility, what is covered through the program, and deadlines view the NH Emergency Rental Assistance Program Fact Sheet or visit https://www.capnh.org/.

Pieces of Interest

Bringing NH Art to the Airport

NH’s small businesses continue to plow through pandemic, SBDC survey finds

Strafford Regional Planning Commission | 603-994-3500 | srpc@strafford.org| www.strafford.org

Mar. 19, 2021