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SWRPC |
June 2009 |
| Commission Highlights |
Vol. 15 - No. 6 |
Community Transportation Summit and Planning for Regional Coordinating Council
On June 10, 2009 the Southwest Region Planning Commission sponsored a summit entitled "Community Transportation Development in the Contoocook Valley", to discuss the need for improved community transportation in the Eastern Monadnock Region. Approximately 50 individuals participated in the event, which took place at Crotched Mountain Rehabilitation Center in Greenfield, NH. Participants included invested citizens, local transportation providers, and representatives from town select boards, planning boards, energy committees, and state officials. Summit participants emphasized the importance of improving transportation options to build and strengthen our communities, reduce geographic barriers to health (not just health care), and provide opportunities for all ages and abilities to participate as a valued member of the community. Go to the "What's New" section at http://www.swrpc.org/trans/ for a Summit write-up. Results of the Summit will be used to provide guidance to organize a Regional Coordinating Council (RCC) for the Contoocook Valley. A RCC will work with the NH Department of Transportation, NH Department of Health and Human Services and other partners to maximize existing community transportation resources in the area and work to enhance community transportation services in the Region. A kick-off meeting for the RCC is scheduled for July 20th at 2:00 p.m. in Conference Room #5 at the Monadnock Community Hospital. For more information, please contact J. B. Mack of Commission staff.
Towns of Hinsdale and Peterborough Awarded CDBG Funding
Community Development Block Grant applications submitted on behalf of the towns of Hinsdale and Peterborough were approved by the NH Community Development Finance Authority on June 18th. The Town of Hinsdale will receive $12,000 to fund a feasibility study examining the infrastructure needs in the Ash Swamp Brook Coop. Mobile Home Park. The Town of Peterborough will receive $195,000 to help finance the purchase of an industrial building on Jaffrey Road, known as the Whiton Building, by a manufacturing company relocating to Peterborough. For more information, please contact Brian McMaster of Commission staff.
Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy for Southwest New Hampshire
On June 30th Planning Commission staff submitted the 2009 Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy for Southwest New Hampshire (CEDS) Annual Report to the U.S. Economic Development Administration. The report covers the period between July 1, 2008 and June 30, 2009 and outlines CEDS-related economic development activities and changes in the Southwest Region's economic conditions. It further provides an evaluation of effectiveness in meeting the CEDS Goals and presents a Draft Work Plan for the upcoming year that identifies potential additional CEDS projects in the Region. For more information, please contact Eric R. Smith, AICP, of Commission staff.
Eyesore, Future Greenspace or Redevelopment Opportunity?
Virtually every community in Southwest New Hampshire has abandoned or underutilized commercial and industrial properties that are an eyesore, a potential health risk and a possible addition to the future tax base. SWRPC's Brownfields Program offers communities in the Region an opportunity to turn that land around. Summer is here and it's a perfect time to nominate abandoned or underutilized and potentially contaminated public and privately owned properties for environmental assessments under the Program. The good weather provides SWRPC's environmental consultants the ideal time to study and test soil, water and other potential contamination. During June, the Brownfields Advisory Committee accepted two new nominations for further evaluation through the Brownfields Program. More funding is available for additional environmental assessment work in the Southwest Region. Visit the SWRPC Brownfields page at http://www.swrpc.org/brownfields/ for fact sheets, frequently asked questions and case examples of Brownfields in our Region. Please contact J. B. Mack of Commission staff for more information or to submit a nomination.
2009 Traffic Research Season
During June, the Planning Commission's Traffic Research season moved into full swing for 2009. Over 130 traffic counts are to be performed this season, and the fieldwork team has already deployed counters in the towns of Swanzey, Hinsdale, Richmond, Greenville, New Ipswich, Marlow, and Keene. Counts are intended to assist NH DOT with understanding the flow and volumes of traffic across the Southwest Region. Keep an eye out for the fieldwork crew in the coming months and feel free to say hello to Neel Patel and Tara Germond. For more information regarding the Traffic Research Program, please contact Neel Patel of Commission staff.
Local Energy Solutions 2009: First Annual Statewide Local Energy Conference
Planning Commission staff participated in the first annual Local Energy Committees Conference in Concord, NH on June 20, 2009. Three hundred people attended including municipal officials, Budget Committee and Planning Board members, County Commissioners, Regional Planning Commissions, and Energy Committee volunteers. U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen was the keynote speaker and sessions included making sense of demand and options for local energy solutions, renewable energy, energy efficiency, energy-related legislative updates, and the NH Climate Action Plan. For additional information, please contact Eric R. Smith, AICP, 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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