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SWRPC |
March 2009 |
| Commission Highlights |
Vol. 15 - No. 3 |
Green Business Forum on April 21, 2009
The Planning Commission through it's Economic Development Advisory Committee will co-sponsor a forum entitled "Green Business: The Next Generation" at Franklin Pierce University on April 21, 2009. The event will include a keynote address from Dave Lunati, Director of Marketing of Monadnock Paper Mills, Inc. The session will also include a panel discussion on marketing green businesses, business assistance programs for "greening" existing businesses, saving energy/saving money, and utilizing local products for green businesses. There is no charge to attend this event. Lunch is available for a fee. For more information, please contact Eric Smith, AICP of Commission staff.
Transportation Advisory Committee Revisits Projects in the Region
The Planning Commission's Transportation Advisory Committee (TAC) has begun developing project recommendations to the New Hampshire Department of Transportation (DOT) for inclusion in the upcoming New Hampshire 2011-2020 Ten Year Transportation Improvement Plan. The existing project review process follows two preceding difficult years in which a number of projects were either cut or deferred from the Plan in order to balance project costs with existing revenue streams. At the request of DOT, all regional planning commission TACs in the State are revisiting projects by prioritizing them based on the strategies listed in Regional Long Range Plans. In the Southwest Region, the TAC is examining projects based on their relative merit in the following six areas: 1) improving or enhancing regional connectivity; 2) preserving and maximizing existing transportation infrastructure and/or capacity; 3) expanding services and infrastructure to serve the needs of those without personal transportation; 4) making strategic improvements; 5) promoting safety and security, and 6) public support. To view the list of projects and scoring criteria that the TAC are examining, visit the "What's New" section of our transportation program page at www.swrpc.org/trans/. For more information, please contact J. B. Mack of Commission staff.
Upcoming Workforce Housing Sessions
The Planning Commission in conjunction with its Economic Development Advisory Committee, will sponsor two Workforce Housing sessions to provide information to towns regarding issues surrounding recent changes in State law scheduled to go into effect this Summer. The sessions will be presented by Ben Frost, Esq. of NH Housing who will review the requirements of the state's new workforce housing statute. Discussion will cover the implications for local land use boards and what towns must do to comply with the law. Examples of what other municipalities have done to address the issue will be presented as well. The first session will be held on May 5, 2009 at 7:00 p.m. at Pierce School in Bennington. The second session will be held on May 14, 2009 at 6:30 p.m. at the Keene Public Library. For more details, please contact Lisa Murphy of Commission staff.
SWRPC Brownfield Program Completes Phase I Assessment in Jaffrey
The Planning Commission, in conjunction with the Town of Jaffrey and environmental consultant TRC Environmental Corporation, recently completed a Phase I Assessment and hazardous materials building inspections for what is known as the former Elite Laundry Site on Route 202 in downtown Jaffrey. By completing the Phase I Assessment, the Town of Jaffrey was able to develop proposals for EPA cleanup grant money for three of the parcels. In addition, the assessment provided the Town information that it needed to ensure safe demolition of some of the buildings on the site in order to prepare for future infill development. For more information about this project or to learn how to apply for assistance through the SWRPC Brownfields Program, please contact J. B. Mack of Commission staff.
2010 Census Participant Statistical Areas Program (PSAP)
Planning Commission staff invites local towns, non-governmental organizations, academia and other interested individuals to provide input on the update to the U.S. Census Bureau's statistical areas. Staff will be using the US Census MAF/TIGER Partnership Software used to review and update the boundaries for census tracts, census block groups, census designated places, and census county divisions within the Southwest Region. These statistical areas are used by the Census Bureau to report data from the 2010 Decennial Census, American Community Survey and other censuses and surveys. As staff reviews the Census 2000 population and housing unit counts for the various statistical areas and runs verification edits for areas that do not meet the 2010 PSAP criteria, we are interested in input from local municipalities, academia, and the general public. Being a US Census local partner in the 2010 PSAP, "local knowledge provided helps the Census Bureau to succeed in its mission to be the leading source of quality data about the nation's people and economy." For more information, please contact Michael Blair of Commission staff.
Innovative Land Use Workshop Held in Keene
On March 28, the Planning Commission's Natural Resources Advisory Committee sponsored a workshop entitled Innovative Land Use Planning: Tools for Sustainable Development at Bentley Commons in Keene. Approximately 45 people representing 13 towns within the Region participated in the event. The workshop provided technical assistance and guidance on the concept of innovative land use approaches as they apply to land development and resource protection. Topics for the sessions were chosen from the Innovative Land Use Technical Guide developed under the Regional Environmental Planning Program. For additional information about the Innovative Land Use Guide, please contact Lisa Murphy 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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