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SWRPC |
December 2007 |
| Commission Highlights |
Vol. 13 - No. 12 |
Land Use Clerks Works Training
NH's regional planning commissions have coordinated with the Local Government Center to conduct an educational training session entitled "Land Use Clerk Works: Building a Solid Foundation" on January 12, 2008 from 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. The session will focus on administrative procedures related to the work of planning boards, zoning boards and conservation commissions for local government staff. Please contact Shana Agan of LGC at 1-800-852-3358 Ext. 150 or sagan@nhlgc.org to register
Achieving Energy and Greenhouse Gas Emission Reductions
The Planning Commission is coordinating with Clean Air-Cool Planet (CA-CP) and Antioch New England Institute (ANEI) in their effort to assist towns in understanding how to reduce energy use and greenhouse gas emissions. During 2007 Town Meeting, 32 of the Region's 36 towns passed resolutions urging municipal action in such reductions. Many towns have formed energy committees and these committees can benefit from the efforts of CA-CP and ANEI as they begin a 3-year project. This project envisions a Task Force of representatives from Southwest Region towns who will receive technical assistance, training and guidance to develop and implement energy plans for their towns and a regional climate action plan based on those. The initial meeting of the Task Force is scheduled for January 28th at 6:30 p.m. in the Community Room at Antioch New England University located at 40 Avon Street in Keene. For additional information, please contact Christa Koehler of CA-CP at ckoehler@cleanair-coolplanet.org.
Community Development Block Grant Applications and Funding Schedules
On December 13th, Commission staff attended an implementation workshop for the State's Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program. The Commission works in partnership with several municipalities in the administration of CDBG projects. Municipalities are eligible to apply for up to $500,000 of federal grant funding for projects that support housing and public facilities as well as up to $500,000 for economic development initiatives that support job creation. Other categories of CDBG funding include feasibility studies and emergency grants. All CDBG grants are required to benefit persons and households of low or moderate income. For more information and grant funding schedules, please contact Matthew Suchodolski of Commission staff.
Community Conservation Partnership
The Planning Commission is a primary partner in the Monadnock Conservancy's Community Conservation Partnership (CCP) pilot project. Pete Throop of the Conservancy has been doing preliminary work for several months and is now in the process of enrolling towns so that the CCP process of conservation prioritization can fully commence. This is a very exciting opportunity for us to develop models to assist towns in establishing and implementing land protection goals and strategies. For more information, please contact Tim Garceau of Commission staff.
12th Annual New Hampshire Economic Development Summit
On December 4th, Planning Commission staff participated in the 12th Annual New Hampshire Economic Development Summit sponsored by Public Service of NH and the NH Department of Resources and Economic Development. The event featured two panels, one comprised of business leaders noted for their innovative business approaches and the other featuring representatives of various state agencies who discussed ways that the State fosters business growth. Mark L. Williams of the Strategic Development Group, Inc. served as the event's keynote speaker. For more information, please contact Matthew Suchodolski of Commission staff.
Hazard Mitigation Planning
In 2007, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) approved hazard mitigation plans for six municipalities in the Southwest Region while another four towns have submitted their plans and are now waiting for a response from FEMA. In total, SWRPC has assisted 28 towns in developing hazard mitigation plans since 2004. Plans are to be updated every five years and, therefore, the towns with revisions due in 2009 should begin the review process in 2008. While individual plans are encouraged for each town, FEMA and the NH Bureau of Emergency Management are seeking to move towards multi-jurisdictional mitigation plans. Towns in the Southwest Region are subject to similar hazards, with flooding being the most prominent threat. Working together to identify threats and actions will allow municipalities to address hazard mitigation issues that occur on a level that is larger than their town boundaries. For more information regarding hazard mitigation planning, please contact Tim Garceau of Commission staff.
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Southwest Region Planning Commission
20 Central Square, 2nd Floor, Keene, NH 03431
Ph: (603) 357-0557, Fax: (603) 357-7440
General E-mail: admin@swrpc.org
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