Thank you for these wonderful endorsements of UERPC.......
"Upper Explorerland Regional Planning Commission has been a great partner with USDA Rural Development in helping rural businesses and communities for the past 20 years that I have been working in NE Iowa. By working together we have been able to successfully find different programs and funding to benefit organizations that needed assistance.
Working with Upper Explorerland Regional Planning Commission, USDA Rural Development has funded the Intermediary Relending Program that created a revolving loan fund for NE Iowa, which provides essential gap financing and credit to small businesses and entrepreneurs. Through this partnership, both UERPC and USDA have found ways to create employment that is essential to maintain the high quality of life in the rural communities in this corner of the state."
Douglas E. Moss, Area Director
U.S. Department of Agriculture, Rural Development
"Upper Explorerland is a valuable resource and partner for our communities. I experienced first hand their professionalism when UERPC led and facilitated the hazard mitigation planning for communities in Winneshiek County. They brought various stakeholders to the table, listened to all input, and helped to synthesize an appropriate plan. It was worth the time working side by side with UERPC.
Recently, I attended the Food & Fitness Initiative event for NE Iowa and UERPC was well represented. Their commitment to serve our communities is demonstrated through words and actions. Their willingness to be a partner allows us to tap their expertise. Whenever I am invited to participate in an UERPC sponsored event, I give it serious consideration given their track record of service and partnership."
Liang Chee Wee, Ph.D., President
Northeast Iowa Community College
"The Howard County Board of Supervisors would like to show our appreciation to the Upper Explorerland Regional Planning Commission for all the wonderful work that this organization has done for our County. UERPC works very well in providing various services to all of Howard County and to the Cities within our county including Hazard Mitigation, Smart Planning, and other programs. Funds for Housing Rehabilitation and Single Family New Construction were also awarded thru UERPC.
UERPC is also working with Howard County in helping to obtain a CDBG Grant to help us to redo a lagoon for the Howard County Residential Care Facility. UERPC has already help this Residential Care Facility to obtain a CDBG Grant in order to proceed in the expansion of the Alzheimer's Unit. This expansion will benefit all of Howard County but especially the folks that need this type of care.
We as a Board Thank Upper Explorerland Regional Planning for all of their great work and look forward to working with this fine organization for years to come."
Adolph Mick Gamez, 1st District Supervisor
Don Burnikel, 2nd District Supervisor
Jan McGovern, 3rd District Supervisor
"I value our partnership with Upper Explorerland Regional Planning Commission. With their assistance, ISU Extension and Outreach in Winneshiek County received a USDA Rural Development Rural Business Enterprise Grant for $90,000. ISU Extension is matching the USDA funds to hire a Food Value Chain Coordinator to fill some of gaps in technical assistance and coordination needed to help farmers develop new products, identify new partners and markets, and create jobs in northeast Iowa.
They have also helped me as the coordinator for the Northeast Iowa Food & Farm Coalition and regional educator with ISU Extension and Outreach write several proposals to help farmers develop new products, identify new partners and markets, and create jobs in northeast Iowa. Their staff is professional and has amazing connections to partners in the tri-state area. UERPC is an important part of our team."
Teresa Wiemerslage
ISU Extension and Outreach Regional Program and Communications Coordinator
"The Iowa Economic Development Authority works very closely with Iowa's Councils of Governments in administering many different federal grants. It has been a pleasure working with UERPC's personnel on Community Development Block Grant projects. The UERPC staff are very eager and conscientious of fulfilling their professional responsibilities administering federal grants."
Benton Quade, Project Manager
Iowa Economic Development Authority
"The staff support provided by UERPC for our local grant projects has assisted us in making sure that our grant reporting is done correctly and in a timely fashion. The staff is knowledgeable and very professional in dealing with all aspects of community redevelopment projects. We are very lucky to have the UERPC staff here in Northeast Iowa."
Robin Bostrom, Program Director
Main Street West Union
"The City of West Union has had the opportunity to work with Upper Explorerland on many projects. The Downtown Streetscape Pilot Project required coordination from many federal, state and local agencies and Upper Explorerland was the catalyst in pulling together everyone involved. From environmental review to grant administration, Upper Explorerland has been a significant driving force in our success with this innovative and challenging project. Their level of expertise in a variety of areas goes unmatched. The team at UERPC can make projects that seem "out of reach" possible."
Robert E. Vagts, City Administrator
City of West Union, Iowa
News Headlines
UERPC February Newsletter
Posted: Tue, February 21, 2012- Ruling in Open Meetings Violations Case
- Impact Award Winner
- IFA to Provide TBRA funding
- 2012 Keep Iowa Beautiful Grants Available
- We Are Seeking Brownfields Sites
- Welcome to the Board!
- Tweet With Us!
- Audits Complete
Ruling in Open Meeting Violations Case
Posted: Wed, February 15, 2012Judge Thomas A. Bitter of the First Judicial District of Iowa made the ruling Feb. 9. The judge also ruled that trial be held on the remaining count which alleges Upper Explorerland "purposefully" prevented the public from having access at a meeting.
The case originated from a Sept. 23, 2010 meeting in which Upper Explorerland Regional Planning Commission met to consider whether to buy a building in Decorah to alleviate the over-crowding at the Postville offices.
At that meeting, which included members of the public and a representative from the Postville newspaper, a lengthy discussion was held before a motion was made to buy the property in Decorah, which had been determined to be the most viable of all Northeast Iowa possible sites reviewed. The board unanimously agreed to a paper ballot vote. Each member cast ballots and the ballots were counted, showing 10 in favor of buying the property and six opposed.
On Oct. 18, 2010, the plaintiffs obtained an injunction prohibiting the Commission from entering into a contract for the purchase of real property in Decorah. A hearing on that motion was held Oct. 25 and the court issued a ruling stating that the Commission was enjoined from purchasing the property based on the Sept. 23 vote, but that the court could not prohibit the Commission from holding future meetings on the issue.
At a meeting in October 2010, the Commission voted to "table" the issue for 30 days to consider all options for expansion, and on Nov. 30, 2010, the Commission met and voted to purchase the Decorah property.
On Jan. 19, 2011, the plaintiffs filed an amended petition alleging 51 separate violations of Iowa's Open Meetings Laws dating as far back as 1999. The allegations stated that agendas were not posted properly and that Upper Explorerland did not properly publish the names and salaries of the commission members for the years 1999 through 2009.
Judge Bitter's ruling states the Commission properly posted the agendas on its bulletin board, and also that it properly published names and salaries in the Oelwein Daily Register. Plaintiffs had alleged that the Oelwein Register is not a "newspaper of general circulation" because it doesn't serve the entirety of the commission area.
The remaining count involves the Nov. 30, 2010 meeting in which some members of the public were required to stand in the hallway outside the meeting room because the room was not large enough to accommodate all attendees. Judge Bitter decided that a factual determination needs to be made at trial concerning this allegation. "This is a disputed factual issue," the judge wrote in his decision.
A date for the trial, which will be held in Allamakee County, has not been set.
UERPC Awarded "Impact Award"
Posted: Tue, January 31, 2012Keep IA Beautiful Grant Opportunities
Posted: Mon, January 30, 2012Project Eligibility:
- A community beautification project must have one or more of the following as its primary purpose:
- Litter prevention / removal / education / implementation / public awareness
- Recycling education / implementation / public awareness
- Beautification programs - flower, tree and shrub planting, painting & fix-up and general landscaping.
- Public nuisance abatement.
- Grant limits are $5,000 for beautification projects.
- Projects with long-term or continuing benefits are desirable as opposed to one-time projects without lasting benefit. As an example - a short term project might include flower planting while a longer term value project might be tree planting.
- Projects involving youth with a focus on service learning opportunities are most encouraged.
- The following are not eligible for funding:
- Taxes.
- Vehicle registration.
- Legal costs.
- Contingency funds and / or organization operational costs.
- Proposal preparation.
- Motorized equipment costing more than $1,000.
- Contractual project administration.
- Land / building acquisition, leases, easements, etc.
- Speakers, entertainment, refreshments and food.
- Costs for which payment has been or will be received under another federal, state or private financial assistance program.
- Costs incurred before a written agreement between the applicant and KIB has been executed.
- Office furniture, computers, fax machines and other office furnishings and equipment.
- T-shirts and give-a-way items.
- Outdoor furniture (grants are available under the "Build with Bags" program).
- Administrative and general operating costs of the project sponsor.
- An approved community project must be completed within the funding period.
- Photo documentation and media planning are required giving recognition to grant administrators and fund sources.
- Be prepared to undergo an audit regarding expenditures of the grant.
Keep Iowa Beautiful
Contact:
Upper Explorerland Regional Planning Commission
POSTVILLE
134 West Greene Street, PO Box 219
Postville, IA 52162-0219
Phone: 563.864.7551 | Fax: 563.864.7535
DECORAH
325 Washington Street, Suite A
Decorah, IA 52101
Phone: 563.382.6171 | Fax: 563.382.6311
Our Mission:
To promote regional cooperation and meet the planning and economic development needs of local governments.
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