Local Government Assistance

Responsive to the needs of local government, these projects prove that using regional planning to coordinate government services, economic forecasting, economic development and training benefits the community.

Indiana 15 Regional Planning Commission worked in cooperation with town councils and clerk-treasurers to implement the Regional Codification of Ordinances project. Thirteen towns cooperated in codifying local ordinances into a systematic presentation of local laws by subject. In some towns, the ordinances dated back to the mid-1800s, requiring interpretation of handwritten script and archaic terminology. Ordinances were electronically scanned for archival purposes and codebooks have been posted on the commission’s website for easy access. The program promotes a public understanding of local laws affecting community and economic development and creates a regional reference for governments.

The Local Government Training Consortium project was developed in response to local elected officials’ requests for assistance in educating and training clerks and other local government employees in administration and operations. The Lower Savannah Council of Governments (COG) enlisted the assistance of the University of South Carolina’s Institute of Public Affairs to develop a curriculum and cadre of instructors. The SCANA Corporation (SC Electric and Gas) provided grant assistance to underwrite a portion of program expenses. The COG organizes, coordinates and provides classroom space for the monthly instructional sessions. Since 1999, 15 sessions have been held and attended by more than 350 local government employees.

The Middle Georgia Regional Development Center, working to assist local communities seeking federal funding for infrastructure-based economic development projects, created the Economic Development Administration (EDA) Grant Application and Resource CD. With support from their co-sponsor, the EDA Atlanta Regional Office, the center produced the CD as an interactive software program which allows applicants to access, use and print out all EDA grant application forms and supporting documentation. All applications are in a PDF format and are accessed using the Adobe Acrobat Reader software program, available on the CD for installation.

The Develop Alabama Association of Regional Councils project is a credit to the establishment of the Alabama Association of Regional Councils. In 1996, the association organized the first annual meeting of Alabama regional directors. The association had no staff, office, assets or state recognition. The meeting provided the impetus to hire an association executive director, establish an office, revise bylaws, expand and diversify its board and start an annual training conference. The association has now become a voice for Alabama’s regions and operates with an annual $900,000 budget. As a statewide organization, the association assists member regions in achieving and setting strategic goals.

Award Winners Regional Codification of Ordinances, Indiana 15 RPC. Contact: Lisa Gelhausen, PO Box 786, Jasper, IN 47547-0786; (812) 482-4535; fax (812) 482-4863; email lisa@ind15rpc.org; web www.ind15rpc.org Local Government Training Consortium, Lower Savannah COG. Contact: Eric P. Thompson, PO Box 850, Aiken, SC 29802; (803) 649-7981; fax (803) 649-2248; email cshade@lscog.org; web www.lscog.org

EDA Grant Application and Resource Compact Disc, Middle Georgia RDC. Contact: Brent K. Lanford, 175-C Emery Hwy., Macon, GA 31217; (478) 751-6160; fax (478) 751-6517; email blanford@mgrdc.org; web www.mgrdc.org Develop Alabama Association of Regional Councils, Alabama Association of Regional Councils. Contact: Wayne Burnette, 5900 Carmichael Place, Montgomery, AL 36117; (334) 277-2221; fax (334) 277-3899; email wburnette@adss.state.al.us; web www.alarc.org

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