E-Newsletter Volume 11, Issue 7 / July 2021
New Job Opening - Community Assistance Planner
Bay-Lake RPC is looking for a dedicated and collaborative individual to fill an open Community Assistance Planner II position. This position is full-time and will work closely with local communities and Bay-Lake RPC staff members to create planning documents for a variety of community assistance-related projects.
 
For more information on the Community Assistance Planner II position and to apply, please visit our website.
2020 Annual Report Released
We are pleased to announce the official release of Bay-Lake RPC’s 2020 Annual Report. The annual report highlights work that was completed or is ongoing throughout the 2020 fiscal year. The report also provides an overview on the Commission’s continuing programs.
 
Click here to view the 2020 Annual Report.
State Announces $1.4 Million in Grants for Wisconsin's Coastal Communities
The Wisconsin Coastal Management Program (WCMP) announced that it is awarding $1.4 million in grants to 40 coastal communities across Wisconsin. These grants will be used to protect and improve Wisconsin's natural resources, quality of life, and economic development potential. Over $472,000 in WCMP grants were awarded in the Bay-Lake region. The official press release and complete list of grants can be viewed here.
 
The WCMP grant program occurs annually. The next Request for Proposals cycle will open in August with, an application deadline of early November 2021. 
Successful Open House for City of Manitowoc Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan
Bay-Lake RPC and the City of Manitowoc recently held a public open house for the city’s Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan at the Manitowoc Farmers Market on June 12, 2021. The booth saw over 70, visitors including public officials, the media, and City of Manitowoc residents. The plan and its recommendations received favorable opinions from attendees, who were eager to see a more bikeable and walkable Manitowoc. Final steps for the plan include adoption by the Manitowoc Common Council, followed by implementation of the recommendations identified in the plan. The plan can be viewed here.

For more information about the plan, please contact Chris Garcia.
Sheboygan MPO Update
Commission staff continues to conduct a land use inventory of the Sheboygan metropolitan planning area. This should be complete by the end of the summer. A land use technician (intern) is working on this project. 
 
Commission staff has been adjusting traffic analysis zones (TAZs) within Sheboygan County. The revised TAZs combine census blocks to better analyze 2020 population, household, and housing unit data from the U.S. Census. Commission staff will be able to use this information once data from the 2020 Census are released at the census block level.
 
Commission staff assisted the Town of Sheboygan Falls with its pavement ratings in mid-June.
 
Commission staff has reviewed pavement condition data on the National Highway System (NHS) within the Sheboygan metropolitan planning area.


Please contact Jeff Agee-Aguayo or Chris Garcia if you have questions regarding Sheboygan MPO activities.
We Value Your Opinion!
Want to help make an impact in our region? Below are links to the public input activities and surveys that are currently open.
Coastal Resiliency Plan: Community Survey
Do you live, work, play, or own property in the counties of Kewaunee, Manitowoc, and/or Sheboygan? If so, please consider participating in a brief survey to inform our region’s Coastal Resilience Plan.

We are looking for community feedback to understand how the Lake Michigan shoreline is used and what, if any, issues people are observing.
Upcoming Events & Meetings
Northeast Wisconsin Regional Access to Transportation Committee (NEWRATC) Meeting

Tuesday, July 13, 10:00am
East Central Wisconsin RPC Office and Online
Bay-Lake RPC
Executive Committee Meeting

Friday, July 30, 10:00am
Bay-Lake RPC Office
Check with the Bay-Lake RPC COVID-19 Response and Recovery Portal for new and upcoming events/workshops.
Future Events
- September 2, 2021 -
Sheboygan MPO Technical and Policy Advisory Committees Joint Meeting
1:00pm
Location TBD
- September 10, 2021 -
Bay-Lake RPC Full Commission Meeting
10:00 am
Bay-Lake RPC Office
Funding and Grant Opportunities
July Grant Deadlines
The following grants have deadlines approaching this month. For more details on these grants and others please view the Bay-Lake RPC Grant Deadline Calendar.
  • FWS North American Wetlands Conservation Act: Standard Grants Program (July 9)
  • HUD Lead Hazard Reduction (LHR) Grant Program (July 12)
  • USDOT Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (July 12)
  • HUD Choice Neighborhoods Planning Grants (July 13)
  • HUD Housing Preservation Grant Program (July 19)
  • AARP Wisconsin Small Dollar, Big Impact Grant (July 21)
  • EPA Credit Assistance Under the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) Program (July 23)
  • People For Bikes Community Grant (July 23)
  • DHHS Modernizing Senior Centers Resource Center (July 26)
  • USDA Rural Placemaking Innovation Challenge (July 26)
  • USDOT 2021 Port Infrastructure Development Grants (July 30)
Do you want to know more about planning services or grants available?
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. 

Please contact us at (920) 448-2820 or letsplan@baylakerpc.org.