Program and Activity Summary
Economic Development:
The Commission fulfills its economic development responsibilities through the ongoing monitoring of economic conditions in the Region and through the implementation of the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS). Through the CEDS planning process, the Commission has identified three regional strategies to pursue. These strategies are: the linkage and coordination of Federal, State, local, and private economic development programs; regional and community economic development; and harbor development.
Community Development:
The Commission provides technical assistance on a variety of planning issues to local communities in the Region on a wide variety of projects. Commission staff works with local communities on such specific projects as comprehensive plans, tax incremental financing district plans, capital improvement programs, zoning ordinances, grant applications, community surveys, and trade area surveys.
Land Use and Environmental Resources:
A major environmental focus of the Commission continues to be the Great Lakes issues associated with Lake Michigan and Green Bay. Working in conjunction with the Wisconsin Coastal Management Program and the US Environmental Protection Agency, the Commission has worked on issues such as the impacts of development in coastal areas, bluff stability along Lake Michigan, public access and natural areas protection. The Commission has also been involved with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources addressing issues related to Lake Michigan and the lower portion of Green Bay, as well as the Manitowoc/Two Rivers, Marinette and Sheboygan areawide sanitary sewer plans.
Transportation:
Through its annual transportation work program, the Commission addresses issues on air and harbor planning, highway studies and plans, rail transportation and acquisition issues, elderly and handicapped transportation, and local transportation assistance plans. In addition, the Commission conducts urban transportation planning activities as the Metropolitan Planning Organization for the Sheboygan Urbanized Area. The Commission conducts special projects such as bicycle facility and corridor planning as well.
Information and Data Systems:
The Commission functions as a depository of technical information and data derived from Federal, State and local sources. Information is provided to public and private groups and individuals as required. The Commission maintains its status as an affiliate of the Wisconsin State Data Center. The Commission has an established Geographic Information System (GIS), which is used extensively to provide mapping and database integration, as well as for analysis of development trends and identification of critical natural resources. Aerial photography is available for the Region.
- Operating Characteristics
- Commission and Method of Selection
- Current Commissioners
- Staff
$1,291,073
(26% Federal, 9% State, 18% Local Levy, 38% Local Contracts, 10% Miscellaneous)
Of the three members from each county;
One is appointed by the County Board
One is appointed by the Governor from a list provided by the County Board
And one is appointed by the Governor
Brown: William Clancy; Toni Loch; Chris Swan
Door: Paul DeWitt; Mariah Goode
Florence: Edwin Kelly; Bruce Osterburg; Yvonne Van Pembrook
Kewaunee: James Abrahamson; Mary Hanrahan; Charles Wagner (Vice-Chair)
Manitowoc: Donald Markwardt; Valerie Mellon; NyiaLong Yang
Marinette: Alice Baumgarten; Cheryl Maxwell (Chairperson); Mary Meyer
Oconto: Donald Glynn; Thomas Kussow; Lois Trever (Sec./Treas.)
Sheboygan: Mike Hotz; Ron McDonald; Ed Procek
Authorized Staff: 13
Staff Contacts:
Mark A. Walter, Executive Director
Richard L. Heath, Assistant Director/Principal Planner
Jeffrey C. Agee-Aguayo, AICP, Sheboygan MPO Transportation Planner
Brandon G. Robinson, Community Assistance Planner
Angela Pierce, Natural Resources Planner
James J. VanLaanen, Transportation Planner