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Advisory council appointments announced SEMCOG advisory council chair and vice chair appointments for 2007-2008 were recently made by SEMCOG Chair, William T. Roberts, Walled Lake Mayor:
Advisory councils, committees, and task forces play important roles at SEMCOG. They direct regional plans and policies, recommend positions on state and federal legislative and regulatory proposals, and guide SEMCOG Executive Committee and General Assembly action. While the Chair and Vice Chair positions are set for this year, we want to remind everyone that there are still openings available on these committees. We urge local elected officials to get involved; members help to develop policy on these committees. Contact: Kathleen Lomako, SEMCOG Deputy Executive Director.
SEMCOG announces 2035 forecast member outreach meetings SEMCOG will provide county and community-specific economic and demographic data of the 30-year regional forecast. A facilitated discussion of each county’s recent past and first five years of possible actions necessary to respond to future challenges will be held. Members are encouraged to attend the meeting scheduled in their county.
You can register online now for these meetings at www.semcog.org. Contact: Amy Malmer, SEMCOG Membership Manager.
SEMCOG seeks applications for CMAQ funds SEMCOG is now accepting applications for federal Congestion Mitigation Air Quality (CMAQ) funds. Approximately $17.4 million is estimated to be available for Southeast Michigan in FY 2009. CMAQ funds can be used for a variety of projects that reduce vehicle emissions, including improving the flow of traffic on existing roadways, various transit services, and projects and programs that reduce the demand for travel on the roadway system. In addition to other factors, all projects are ranked by cost effectiveness, which is the amount of emissions reduced per dollar spent. Transit projects are ranked regionally. The highest-ranking non-transit project in each of the region’s seven counties and the City of Detroit is automatically awarded funding. All remaining non-transit projects are ranked regionally and awarded until funds are exhausted. Eligible applicants include incorporated cities and villages, county road commissions, and public transit agencies, collectively known as Act 51 agencies. Nonprofit and for-profit entities can apply for CMAQ funding, but only under the sponsorship of an Act 51 agency, which assumes responsibility for the project. Initial applications are due to SEMCOG by Friday, October 12, 2007. Emissions worksheets for all projects are due to SEMCOG by Friday, October 26, 2007. Contact: Steve Brudzinski, SEMCOG Transportation Policy Analyst.
Tait speaks at MAC Conference SEMCOG Executive Director Paul Tait spoke to members at the Michigan Association of Counties annual summer conference on August 21 in Grand Rapids. His topic was intergovernmental cooperation and regionalism. He focused on five myths about cooperative or regional efforts. Understanding these can help set realistic expectations for success. The myths are:
Copies of Tait's complete notes for this speech are available upon request. Contact: SEMCOG Information Center.
CEDAC focuses on the county’s role in economic development on September 14 SEMCOG’s Community and Economic Development Advisory Council (CEDAC) will focus on the role of counties in addressing the economic hardships facing Southeast Michigan at its September 14, 2007 meeting. Through creative policies and programs that help to build a climate for investment, county economic development departments are increasingly working regionally to attract new investment and retain existing businesses. In the second of a series of presentations by county economic development departments, Royce Maniko, Monroe County Planning, and Bill Morris, Monroe County Economic Development Corporation, will present the county's vision for economic success. Also, Bettie Buss, Citizens Research Council of Michigan, will present her national research on regional approaches to economic development. CEDAC begins at 9:30 a.m. and will end by noon. Contact: Ken Bishop, Community and Economic Development Administrative Assistant.
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