Tag: Dennis Lawrence

An assessment of economic development activities of the North Central Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission over the last decade and the past year. The report’s seven sections describe the CEDS Committee, Past Year’s Activities, the Physical Region, Changes in the Region’s Population, changes in the Region’s Economy, a Regional Development Strategy, and an Economic Development Work Plan. Also included is a list of potential public works projects. This CEDS process maintains the Region’s eligibility as an Economic Development District (EDD) with the U.S. Economic Development Administration. The District consists of ten counties. These counties are Adams, Forest, Juneau, Langlade, Lincoln, Marathon, Oneida, Portage, Vilas, and Wood. However, Portage, and Wood Counties do not fully participate in the EDD – only some local communities with these two Counties participate.

Over the years, the demands on the regional planning commission (RPCs) have changed. These changes, however, have not altered the basic advisory role of the commissions. The original and traditional role of the commissions was to plan for the physical development of the areas they served. This involved planning issues, such as land use, transportation, natural resources, and water and sewer services. While this function has continued to be important, technical assistance in such areas as economic development, grant and loan services, and local government management.