E-Newsletter Volume 11, Issue 8 / August 2021 |
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Welcome to Our Newest Employee! |
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We are pleased to welcome Adam Christensen to the Bay-Lake RPC team! Adam joins our team as an Environmental Planner. Adam's primary roles will involve environmental reviews, resiliency planning for rural and urban landscapes, and coordination with environmental organizations on projects and plans within the Bay-Lake Region.
Adam spent four years in the US Navy before deciding to pursue and earn a Bachelor's Degree in Natural Resources Planning from UW-Stevens Point. He is working on his Master's Degree in Public Administration and Urban Planning at UW-Milwaukee.
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Introducing the Main Street Bounceback Grant Program |
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The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) is partnering with Bay-Lake RPC to administer the recently announced Main Street Bounceback Grant program which provides $10,000 grants to new or existing businesses and non-profit organizations moving into vacant commercial properties in Wisconsin.
Through this program, Bay-Lake RPC is providing one-time funds to organizations that have leased or purchased vacant commercial properties as of January 1, 2021 or will do so by June 30, 2022. New or established businesses and non-profit organizations are all eligible, as long as you aren’t vacating another existing commercial space in Wisconsin.
Click here to learn more about the Main Street Bounceback Grants Program, and if it sounds like a good fit, fill out the interest form on the bottom of the page to be contacted by someone at our organization. You can also visit our webpage here to find more information about the program and how to apply, or contact us directly at: mainstreet@baylakerpc.org
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EDA ARPA Grant Programs Announced |
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The U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) is seeking applicants for funding to assist in the economic recovery of the nation following the coronavirus pandemic. Funding is available through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery Funds, provided by the U.S. Department of the Treasury.
The EDA announced six specific funding opportunities:
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Build Back Better Regional Challenge - An opportunity for those who want to revitalize their economies by growing new regional industry clusters or by scaling existing clusters. Funding may be requested for planning, infrastructure development, innovation and entrepreneurship support, workforce development, access to capital, and more.
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Good Jobs Challenge - An opportunity for those who want to help get Americans back to work. Funding is intended to bring key entities and employers together to create training programs that provide skills for and connect unemployed or underemployed workers to job opportunities.
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Economic Adjustment Assistance - An opportunity for those who want to improve their economies by planning, building, innovating, and putting people back to work through construction or non-construction projects designed to meet local needs.
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Indigenous Communities - An opportunity for those who want to support the needs of Tribal Governments and Indigenous communities by developing and executing projects that these communities need to support economic development and improve the future of their economies.
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Travel, Tourism, and Outdoor Recreation - An opportunity for those who want to accelerate the recovery of communities that rely on the travel, tourism, and outdoor recreation sectors. Non-competitive state tourism grants (which are invitation only) and competitive grants are available.
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Statewide Planning, Research, and Networks - An opportunity for those who want to promote equitable outcomes and develop local economies that are more resilient to future economic shocks and climate change. State planning grants (which are invitation only) and competitive grants are available.
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Natural Resources Grants Opportunities |
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The University of Wisconsin Water Resources Institute is offering a joint Groundwater Research and Monitoring grant opportunity with the Wisconsin Departments of Natural Resources; Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection; and Safety and Professional Services. Applicants will be able to apply to several entities in one application instead of having to prepare several different applications. Up to $375,000 will be available for new groundwater projects in Fiscal Year 2023. Further information can be found on this website.
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The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources has two grant opportunities for projects relating to urban forestry and surface water:
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Urban forestry grants are being offered to cities, villages, towns, counties, tribes, and 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations in or conducting projects in Wisconsin. Currently the WI DNR is only accepting applications for Regular grants and Startup grants. Further information can be found on this website.
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Surface Water grants are being offered to organizations and government entities which are either automatically eligible or must apply establish their eligibility before applying. This grant program covers a variety of surface water projects such as education and planning, aquatic invasive species prevention and management, and surface water restoration and management. Further information can be found on this website.
For additional information or environmental planning assistance please contact Adam Christensen.
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Common Council Approves Manitowoc Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan |
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The City of Manitowoc Common Council recently adopted the City of Manitowoc Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan at its July 2021 meeting. The plan lays out recommendations for how the city can improve the size, safety, and connectivity of its bicycle and pedestrian networks. Bay-Lake RPC and the City of Manitowoc worked jointly on this effort. The plan went through numerous public outreach efforts with hundreds of participants. This plan continues the City of Manitowoc’s efforts to improve its active transportation network and make sure its residents have multiple transportation options anywhere in the city. The plan can be viewed here.
For more information about the plan, please contact Chris Garcia.
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Commission staff recently processed minor amendments to the street and highway component of the 2021 – 2024 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP). The Sheboygan MPO Technical and Policy Advisory Committees recommended approval of the amendments at a special joint meeting on July 29th, and the Commission approved the amendments at a meeting of its Executive Committee on July 30th. The amendments have been submitted to WisDOT and FHWA, and can be found here.
Commission staff has started work on the draft 2022 – 2025 TIP and on the draft 2022 Sheboygan Metropolitan Planning Area Transportation Planning Work Program.
Commission staff spent much of July compiling base year employment data by traffic analysis zone (TAZ) in an effort to update the travel demand forecast model as part of preparations for the next long-range transportation plan update.
Commission staff assisted Shoreline Metro with updating its Transit Asset Management (TAM) plan. The Sheboygan Transit Commission is scheduled to review and approve this plan on August 17th. MPO approval will take place in early September.
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Upcoming Events & Meetings |
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Open House and Public Hearing for Marinette's Comprehensive Plan
Wednesday, September 1, 2:30pm (open house)
and 3:30pm (hearing)
Marinette City Hall
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Sheboygan MPO Technical and Policy Advisory Committees Joint Meeting
Thursday, September 2, 1:00pm
Location TBD
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Open House for Plymouth's Comprehensive Plan
Thursday, September 2, 4:30pm - 6:00pm
Plymouth City Hall
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Check with the Bay-Lake RPC COVID-19 Response and Recovery Portal for new and upcoming events/workshops.
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- September 10, 2021 -
Bay-Lake RPC Full Commission Meeting
10:00 am
Bay-Lake RPC Office
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- September 15 - 17, 2021 -
APA Wisconsin Conference
KI Center, Green Bay
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- September 21 - 23, 2021 -
MPO/RPC Annual Conference
Virtual Conference
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Funding and Grant Opportunities |
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- AARP Wisconsin Small Dollar, Big Impact Grant (August 10)
- NEA American Rescue Plan Grants to Organizations (August 12)
- LFF Jeremiah Lucey Grant Program (August 15)
- WisDOT Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) (August 15)
- DOC Broadband Infrastructure Program (August 17)
- USDOT Advanced Transportation and Congestion Management Technologies Deployment Initiative (August 23)
- DOC Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program (September 1)
- WDT Ready, Set, Go! (RSG) Grant Program (September 1)
- WisNRF C.D. Besadny Conservation Grants (September 1)
- WDNR Surface Grant Program (September 2)
- WHEDA 2021 Housing Tax Credit (HTC) Program (September 3)
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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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