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Current Issue in PDF format

2019 Winter Commission Meeting

The Southwest Region Planning Commission’s 2019 Winter Meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, February 12, 2019 at 5:00 p.m. at the Cheshire County Delegation Room of the Historic Cheshire County Courthouse, located at 12 Court Street in Keene.  Please join us and our guest speaker, Victoria Sheehan, Commissioner of the NH Department of Transportation, for a presentation focused on the topic of transportation infrastructure revenues.  While there is no charge to attend, advance registration by Friday, February 8th is requested.  For more information, please review this flyer or contact Becky Baldwin of Commission staff.  

Like us on Facebook!

We are pleased to announce the recent launch of the SWRPC Facebook page.  The page includes information on several projects currently underway, as well as other planning-related news and events. The page will also function as an outreach tool for planning projects. Currently, SWRPC is promoting two surveys: one for the Age-Focused Planning Initiative and another for Plan for Ashuelot Rail Trail. Follow and like the page at www.facebook.com/SouthwestRPC. Please consider sharing relevant posts with friends, colleagues, and stakeholders.

Projects Selected for Transportation Alternatives Program

Three of the nine projects recently selected under the NH Department of Transportation's 2018 Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) are from the Southwest Region.  The TAP provides federal funding support for alternative transportation projects, such as on- and off-road pedestrian and bicycle facilities, rail trail improvements, and safe routes to school projects.  Criteria considered by the TAP Scoring Committee included safety, potential for success, connectivity, and socioeconomic benefits.  The following projects were among those selected:

Jaffrey: $642,842 to construct/reconstruct sidewalks, crosswalks and
       bike lanes on Stratton Road and Peterborough Street (US 202)

Keene: $478,400 to construct roadway and streetscape
       improvements on Marlboro Street and construct a multi-use trail
       connection to the Cheshire Rail Trail.

Swanzey: $600,000 to construct a multi-use path on abandoned rail corridor in two locations and to make improvements to the Ashuelot Trail on the west side of town and the Cheshire Trail on the east side of town.

Recipient communities are required to contribute a 20% match to the federal funds indicated above.  For more information about the TAP program, please contact J. B. Mack of Commission staff.

Age-Focused Planning

SWRPC staff has begun the data collection phase of the Age-Focused Planning Initiative.  Over the next three months, we will utilize various sources including census information, a community survey and focus groups.  On January 9th, a focus group meeting was conducted to gather information on economic opportunities within the region in light of demographic trends.  Additional focus groups covering themes including housing options, transportation alternatives, and social engagement are being arranged.  Meanwhile, a community survey continues to be available on the SWRPC website as well as the newly-launched SWRPC Facebook page.  For additional information on the project or upcoming meetings, visit www.facebook.com/SouthwestRPC or contact Lisa Murphy of Commission staff.

Community Development Block Grant Application

During January, SWRPC assisted Cheshire County with submitting a Community
Development Block Grant (CDBG) application on behalf of Tanglewood Park Cooperative for up to $500,000.  If awarded, the funds will be subgranted to Tanglewood Park Cooperative to be used toward the acquisition of Tanglewood Manufactured Housing Park, located at 17 Sparrow Street in Keene.  The Tanglewood Manufactured Housing Park has 328 approved lots on 99 acres.  Cheshire County is sponsoring the grant with SWRPC acting as grant administrator.  For more information, please contact Rebeckah Bullock of Commission staff.

Winchester Economic Development Forum

On January 28, 2019, the Town of Winchester held an Economic Development Forum, to provide an update on the Town’s PlanNH Charrette (2008) and to look to the future.  The agenda featured keynote speaker Molly Kelly, guest speakers, roundtable discussions, and a listening session.  SWRPC staff presented the Plan for Ashuelot Rail Trail project as part of the event and provided attendees with a connection to the project webpage: www.swrpc.org/plan-for-ashuelot-rail-trail and survey: www.surveymonkey.com/r/ashuelot-rail-trail. Input from attendees will inform the planning process as it moves forward.  For more information, please contact Henry Underwood of Commission staff.

Brownfields Assessment Program Accepting Nominations

SWRPC announces the start of programming for a recently awarded community-wide brownfields assessment grant.  At this time, nominations are being accepted for brownfield sites.  Municipalities and other stakeholders often refer properties to the SWRPC Brownfields Program when they consider tax deeding a property or otherwise purchasing land.  Environ-mental assessment activities determine the presence and extent of any environmental risks associated with a property based on past use, site observations, and/or field tests.  SWRPC municipalities have saved thousands of dollars by taking advantage of the SWRPC Brownfields Assessment Program.  Nominations for projects will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis through September 2021.  For more information, visit www.swrpc.org/brownfields or contact J. B. Mack of Commission staff.