Programs
Nine programs, delivered for the cities and counties of the Green Hills region. Every one of them exists because a local government asked for help with something it could not carry alone.
Economic Development
GHRPC is federally designated by the U.S. Department of Commerce as an Economic Development District. The District maintains a Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy for the region, updated every five years and submitted to the Department of Commerce and other federal and state partner agencies.
- Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS), updated on a five-year cycle
- Project development and funding packaging for local governments
- 2027 CDBG competitive grant cycle preparation with municipal leaders and county commissioners
Community Development Block Grant
The Community Development Block Grant Program supports a community's well-being and greater capacity for growth. GHRPC provides project development, grant writing and administration for senior centers, early education centers, county and municipal facilities and infrastructure projects.
- Grants awarded to cities, counties and 501(c)(3) organizations
- Staff experience across CDBG, USDA Rural Development, NAP tax credits, DNR and EDA
- Projects often need funding from more than one agency; we package them together
Transportation Planning
GHRPC staffs the Transportation Advisory Committee for the Green Hills region, maintains the regional transportation plan, and runs the Multi-Modal Subcommittee. Committee meetings and minutes are published for public review.
- Transportation Advisory Committee meetings and minutes
- Multi-Modal Subcommittee
- Title VI compliance
- Updates to the regional transportation plan
Emergency Planning Services
GHRPC supports counties and cities through the whole emergency cycle: local emergency operations plans and training beforehand, situational awareness and FEMA documentation during an event, and recovery coordination and post-disaster grant applications afterwards.
- Assistance with local emergency operations plans, MERC reports and exercise planning
- Coordination with local, state and regional partners during an event
- FEMA forms, damage documentation and post-disaster grant applications
- After the 2019 flood in Northern Missouri many counties did not apply for FEMA assistance; this service exists so that does not repeat
Hazard Mitigation
FEMA defines hazard mitigation as any sustained action taken to reduce or eliminate the long-term risk to human life and property from hazards. The Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 requires an adopted, FEMA-approved plan as a condition of eligibility for several hazard mitigation grant programs.
- A hazard mitigation plan for each of the 11 counties in the region
- Plan updates coordinated with the State Emergency Management Agency
- Eligibility maintained for FEMA hazard mitigation grant programs
Solid Waste Management District
The district runs collection events, administers district grants, and works with recycling centres across the region on what they accept and how material moves.
- Special collection access for tires, electronics, appliances, batteries and household hazardous waste
- District grants for local waste reduction projects
- Education on what belongs in a recycling bin
- Work toward semi-permanent collection sites in different counties
Grundy County E-911
GHRPC created an E-911 GIS dataset for Grundy County's PowerMap system. The system integrates GIS data into the 911 call centre so a dispatcher can see an aerial photo overlaid with a road map and locate the address a call is attached to.
- Aerial imagery overlaid with the road network in the dispatch system
- Landmark data for buildings, cemeteries and parks, so an unfamiliar or distressed caller can still be located
- Address point maintenance as the county changes
Code Enforcement
The Code Enforcement Program started in 2023. GHRPC contracts with individual municipalities to enforce city ordinances on nuisances. The programme has grown to 17 municipalities.
- Investigation of nuisance properties and documentation of violations
- Violation letters issued on the city's behalf
- Court appearances for the contracting city
Rural Innovation Stronger Economy
The RISE programme runs 90-minute virtual sessions for people starting, building or growing a business in the region, covering entrepreneurship, value-added agriculture and pitching to lenders and investors.
- Sessions run 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM and are open to the region
- Delivered with partners including the Small Business Development Center
- Topics span start-up basics through value-added agriculture
