2007 Annual Commission Meeting

The Planning Commission’s Annual Meeting is scheduled for June 19^th at Franklin Pierce College in Rindge, NH.    For additional information or to register, please contact Becky Baldwin of Commission staff.  

SWRPC Brownfields Assessment Program

 At a ceremony held in Concord on May 15, 2007 SWRPC was announced as one of the New Hampshire recipients of US Environmental Protection Agency Grant Funds for Brownfields Assessment.  The Commission has been selected to receive two grants totaling $400,000 - $200,000 for mixed hazardous substances assessments and $200,000 for petroleum-only sites.  Actual receipt of grant funding will not occur until October 1, 2007.  This is the third round of grant funding received by the Planning Commission leading to a total of $916,000 to be invested into Brownfield assessment activities in the Southwest Region since the program was established in 2003.  The Brownfields Advisory Committee is accepting site nominations for sites to be considered for involvement in the program.  For more information please contact Natalie Shafiroff of Commission staff.

Public Involvement Plan Available for Public Review

 Effective public involvement is essential to the regional transportation planning work conducted by the Commission.  SWRPC recognizes that proactively encouraging public involvement increases public awareness, contributes to the understanding of local needs and concerns, and benefits the overall transportation decision making process.  Additionally, SWRPC is committed to conducting transportation planning based on the principles of equity and non-discrimination towards all residents of the Region.  The draft Public Involvement Plan (PIP) reflects current best-practices and assures the Commission’s due diligence toward meeting the statutory requirements as set forth in the latest Federal and State legislation.  To view and comment on this document please visit the SWRPC website.  For more information, please contact Nicolás Bosonetto of Commission staff. 

Head Start Receives Funding

 In conjunction with Southwestern Community Services Inc., Cheshire County was recently awarded a $500,000 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG). The application was prepared by Planning Commission staff and this funding will be used to support the development of a new Head Start facility in Keene.  In addition to hosting an educational program for pre-K students, this new facility will house regional administrative offices for the Head Start efforts across Cheshire County.  The due date for the next round of CDBG funding applications is July, 30th.  For more information, please contact Matthew Suchodolski of Commission staff. 

Become an ENERGY STAR Community

 The US Environmental Protection Agency is inviting municipalities to become Energy Star Communities.  The Community Energy Challenge is an opportunity for municipalities across New England to identify simple and cost-effective measures that increase energy efficiency and renewable energy use while reducing air pollution and saving money.  A municipality that participates in the program will need to meet benchmarks in the reduction of energy consumption in order to receive the Energy Star recognition.  In order to meet these benchmarks EPA New England and EPA Energy Star contractors will provide free, live web-based training in benchmarking and energy management, including follow-up technical support to all participating communities. For more information on the Community Energy Challenge contact Lucy Edmonson at (617)918-1004 or edmondson.lucy@epa.gov, or  http://www.epa.gov/ne/eco/energy/energy-challenge.html.

 Southwest Region Brownfields Forum 

The Brownfields Advisory Committee hosted a Public Forum at the E.F. Lane Hotel in Keene on May 11, 2007.  The purpose of the event was to draw attention to the successes and acknowledge the efforts of those involved in the SWRPC Brownfields Assessment Program since its inception in 2003.  The event was well attended by local officials, NH Department of Environmental Services staff, US Environmental Protection Agency staff, and other stakeholders.  The afternoon program consisted of statements from Mike Wimsatt of the NH DES and Carol Tucker of the US EPA, followed by a presentation of the SWRPC Brownfields Program by staff member Jeff Porter.   The session concluded with a presentation of the Downtown Keene Railroad Redevelopment proposal and a site visit conducted by Jack Dugan of the Monadnock Economic Development Corporation.  For more information, please contact Natalie Shafiroff of Commission staff.

NH DRED’s Telecom and Technology Matching Grant Program

 The New Hampshire Department of Resources and Economic Development (DRED) is offering a Telecom and Technology Matching Grant Program to facilitate wireless broadband initiatives across the State, particularly in those areas currently lacking high-speed internet service.  The State has allocated $100,000 for this Program; individual projects may be awarded up to $10,000, with a dollar for dollar match expected.  Eligible recipients must be either public or not-for-profit organizations.  Applications can be found on DRED’s website, www.nheconomy.com.  The deadline for submission is June 15, 2007.  For more information, please contact NH DRED (603-271-2591) or Amy Owens of Commission staff.