MRRPC Notes
MRRPC Notes is a collection of online information for the use of MRRPC Staff and the distribution of specific data to others who may benefit from this data. Login
Ken`s Current Plans and Projects
New "Names" System
New River Notes
New "EMAIL" System
Draft Water Trails - Google Docs
Our Survey Page MRRPC.com/Survey
Login | Qualtrics
AI`s you can use
Specific Links and "Collections" of Data
Plans & Projects #plan
Getting started with ArcGIS StoryMaps
MRRPC Website
Notes and Articles For Reference
System Files MRRPC
Miss River Road / WIGRR.com InventoryTown of River Falls Comp Plan UpdateVillage of Oakdale Comp Plan UpdateCity of Black River Falls Comp PlanVillage of Merrillan Outdoor Rec PlanVillage of Ellsworth Outdoor Rec PlanRural Wisconsin Transportation Work ProgramMRRPC NewsletterAnnual Report
New River Notes
New "Names" System
New "EMAIL" System
...Full Story HereNotes:
MRRPC Regional Visitor Guides and Websites
MRRPC Guides
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 2023 Wisconsin Campground Directory |
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Other Websites
- Pierce County Tourism (arcgis.com)
- Visitor Information | Buffalo County, WI - Official Website (buffalocountywi.gov)
- Crawford County Tourism Council | Facebook
- Explore the La Crosse Region - ExploreLaCrosse
- Black River Falls Country - The Northwoods Close to Home (blackrivercountry.net)
- Go Monroe County WI
- Home - Visit Pepin County Wisconsin
- Trempealeau County
- Visiting | Vernon County (invernoncounty.com)
- Kickapoo Valley Reserve | Home (state.wi.us)
- Nature Preserves | Mississippi Valley Conservancy (Trail Maps for each parcel)
- Where To Eat in the La Crosse Region - ExploreLaCrosse
- Visit Pepin WI, Pepin County WI, Welcome To Pepin, Wisconsin
- TUDR-0419-01-16_final-single-page-as-printed-1-1.pdf Trout Unlimited Driftless
- TroutRegsFull2324.pdf (widen.net) State of WI Trout Guide with Maps
- bba454_0d24fe0a6e4e464095ea4767476fcc40.pdf (filesusr.com) old Tomah Guide
- Tourism Buffalo County
- Tourism Crawford County
- Tourism Jackson County
- Tourism LaCrosse County
- Tourism Monroe County
- Tourism Pepin County
- Tourism Pierce County
- Tourism Trempealeau County
- Tourism Vernon County
...Full Story Here
Wesby Industrial Park and LaX Fabricating
Home - LaX Fabricating LTD
City of Westby celebrates completion of business park
"Money for the city’s share of the expansion project comes from the tax increment district, not the general fund. Property taxes have not increased because of the project."
Westby`s Industrial Park 2021 - 2022 | Construction Job Site Documentation with Drone - YouTube
City of Westby | People you know, service you trust.
About | Westby, WI (westbychamber.com)
https://goo.gl/maps/houo6DQSCsmSrGpD8
Websites, Wiki and Board members for Counties in MRRPC
Buffalo
Buffalo
County, WI - Official Website | Official Website (buffalocountywi.gov)
Buffalo County, Wisconsin - Wikipedia
2021-Buffalo-County-Directory (buffalocountywi.gov)
Crawford
Crawford County, Wisconsin - Wikipedia
Microsoft Word - CountyDirectory.doc
(crawfordcountywi.org)
Jackson
Jackson County, Wisconsin - Wikipedia
Microsoft Word - 2022-2023 County Directory
(jackson.wi.us)
La Crosse
La Crosse County, Wisconsin - Wikipedia
Board
Members (lacrossecounty.org)
Monroe
Monroe County, Wisconsin - Wikipedia
638102414064400000 (monroe.wi.us)
Pepin
Pepin County, Wisconsin - Wikipedia
2021_Directory__Public_12-1-2021_.pdf (pepin.wi.us)
Pierce
Pierce County, Wisconsin - Wikipedia
Trempealeau
Trempealeau County, Wisconsin - Wikipedia
Trempealeau County Wisconsin (revize.com)
Vernon
Vernon County, Wisconsin - Wikipedia
Notes:
Tools and Guidance for Transit Professionals:
Notes:
DOT Grants and Programs
...Full Story HereFederal funding available for local programs over the next five fiscal years
Meeting With Peter Fletcher and Bob Notes
Peter Fletcher, Executive DirectorPhone: 608-785-5977Email: pfletcher@lacrossecounty.orgJackie Eastwood, Transportation PlannerPhone: 608-785-6141Email: jeastwood@lacrossecounty.orgContacts and Resources by County
Note: Ken should find "Bobs" Work plan.
(PDF Online here)
- Technical Advisory Committee (lacrossecounty.org)
- The TAC meets at 2:30 pm on the second Wednesday of every other month
- Next Meeting March 8 2:30
- Committee on Transit and Active Transportation (lacrossecounty.org)
- The Committee on Transit and Active Transportation (CTAT) is a standing committee of the LAPC.
- The CTAT meets at 3:00 pm on the second Thursday of every other month
- Next Meeting March 16th 3:00pm??
- Home - Aging and Disability Resource Centers of Buffalo and Pepin Counties (adrc-bcp.com)
- Aging & Disability Resource Home (crawfordcountywi.org)
- ADRC of Jackson County – Aging and Disability Resource Center (adrcjacksoncounty.org)
- La Crosse
- Aging and Disability Resource Center | Monroe County, WI
- Pepin (see Buffalo)
- Pierce County, WI (ADRC)
- Trempealeau County (ADRC)
- Vernon County, WI
- SMRT Bus (lacrossecounty.org)
- SMRT Bus - Mississippi River Regional Planning Commission (mrrpc.com)
- Home Page (ridesmrt.com)
- Charlie Handy
- Garth Preble
- Running Inc (provider)
The Commission`s transportation services include: assisting the Mississippi River Parkway Commission in its planning and promotion activity for the Great River Road; assisting the La Crosse Area Planning Committee in meeting its Federal and State transportation planning requirements; assisting in expanding or establishing new multi-modal transit services; advising local governments on meeting and financing transportation needs of the elderly and handicapped; preparing public Human Service Transportation Plans for all nine counties; coordinating the involvement of Federal and State transportation plans and policies for consideration into local land use plans; providing a roadway management program that enables local governments to systematically prioritize their roadway maintenance needs based on sound evaluation criteria; and assisting in the development of harbor plans and projects for communities along the Mississippi River.
MRRPC Freight Strategy
Visit the MRRPC Project Website:
https://mrrpc.com/studies-plans/mrrpc-freight-strategy/
OLD MRRPC Freight Strategy SurveyKen |
MRRPC Contact
Ken Harwood
608.785.9396
Cell 608.334.2174
Ken@MRRPC.com
Confidential
Tech Memo 1
Other Documents
Justin J. Scott, AICPProject Manager, Freight and Transportation Planning3701 Wayzata Boulevard, Suite 100, Minneapolis, MN 55416-3791
Direct: 763.249.6764 | jscott@srfconsulting.com
Sarah SimonsonSarah Simonson (she/her) | Freight Program OfficerWisconsin Department of TransportationBureau of Planning and Economic Development (BPED)4822 Madison Yards Way 6th Floor South, S603.09P.O. Box 7913Madison, WI 53707-7913608-267-4452Jada Bighamjada.bigham@dot.govLeucinger, David - DOTdavid.leucinger@dot.wi.gov
Support files online (SRF): MRRPC Regional Freight Strategy
Tech Memo 2
Draft Report
Bluff lot
Hi Ken,Notes:
Intermodal Data
NE-Wisconsin-Intermodal-Study-Final-Report.pdf (thenewnorth.com)
Northeast Wisconsin’s shippers face challenges in securing affordable and reliable intermodal transportation services. These challenges relate to at least two major factors:
The relatively long drive under congested traffic conditions between Northeast Wisconsin and major intermodal terminals in Chicago, and
The acute shortage of truck drivers in the United States.
This study focuses on the first major issue and aims to determine the feasibility of developing an intermodal service in Northeast Wisconsin. The topic of intermodal access is particularly important for the region given its high concentration of freight dependent businesses—including manufacturing.
The establishment of a locally-based intermodal rail transportation service has the potential to address these problems. Intermodal has historically been best-suited for the movement of medium-value items like consumer goods and manufactured products over moderate to long distances and is an important transportation option for both domestic and international shipping in the United States. Yet, Northeast Wisconsin has been without direct intermodal service since the closure of Wisconsin Central’s intermodal facilities in 2001. With surging demand from the region’s manufacturers, this study seeks to establish the potential feasibility of developing a new facility to newly anchor intermodal service in 2022 and beyond.
conf-ogard.pdf (wisconsindot.gov)
NCWRPC INTERMODAL ANALYSIS November 7, 2023 WisDOT Rail Meeting
RFP – Northeast WI Intermodal Freight Facility Study | ECWRPC
ECWRPC is issuing this “Request for Proposals” (RFP) to: Northeast Intermodal Freight Facility Study – Phase 2. Between the fall of 2020 and May of 2022, the East Central Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission worked with the Brown County Planning Commission/Green Bay MPO, Port of Green Bay, New North, Inc., private consulting firms, and a steering committee to develop an intermodal freight facility study for the northeast portion of the state. This study found that there is significant demand for intermodal freight shipping in Northeast Wisconsin and that a locally-based intermodal service may be fast and cost-effective enough to be an attractive option for shippers. However, the study also found that there are currently a variety of operational challenges associated with establishing intermodal service and that a strong business case needs to be built to justify establishing this type of service in Northeast Wisconsin.
...Full Story HereLinks and resources
https://www.sewrpc.org/SEWRPC/Transportation.htmStatewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP)
?The Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) required by 23 CFR 450.216, is a four-year prioritized listing of highway and transit projects for the state of Wisconsin. The STIP includes both capital and non-capital projects that are federally funded or considered regionally significant in both urban and rural areas. The STIP incorporates the Transportation Improvement Programs (TIPs) prepared by the state`s 14 metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs) by reference. Approval of the STIP is done jointly by the Federal Highway Administration and the Federal Transit Administration and constitutes formal approval of the incorporated MPO TIPs.Regional Plans
“By failing to plan, you are planning to fail.” – Anonymous
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 Comprehensive Plan Hazzard Mitigation Outdoor Recreation Economic Development Transportation Coordination |
 Comprehensive Plan Hazzard Mitigation Outdoor Recreation Economic Development Transportation Coordination |
|---|---|---|
 Comprehensive Plan Hazzard Mitigation Out Door Recreation Economic Development Transportation Coordination |
 Comprehensive Plan Hazzard Mitigation Outdoor Recreation Economic Development Transportation Coordination |
 Comprehensive Plan Hazzard Mitigation Outdoor Recreation Economic Development Transportation Coordination |
 Comprehensive Plan Hazzard Mitigation Outdoor Recreation Economic Development Transportation Coordination |
 Comprehensive Plan Hazzard Mitigation Outdoor Recreation Economic Development Transportation Coordination |
 Comprehensive Plan Hazzard Mitigation Outdoor Recreation Economic Development Transportation Coordination |
Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Coordination Plans
Wisconsin DOT Local Program Symposium Agenda
Veron County Economic Development Strategy-Plan For Vernon County REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL
- Important - Vernon County info about economic development - good list of sources on what already exists
- VEDA: Vernon Economic Development Association (veda-wi.org)
- Vernon County, WI
- Viroqua, WI - Growing Forward. (viroqua-wisconsin.com)
- City of Westby | People you know, service you trust.
- Hillsboro, WI (hillsborowi.com)
- Largest Employers
- Kickapoo Culinary Center
- Couleecap
Susan Noble
Executive Director, Vernon Economic Development Association1201 North Main Street,
Suite 6, Viroqua WI 54665
608.638.8332
snoble@veda-wi.org
Vernon County Economic Development Goals
1. Support and Retain Current Businesses2. Support entrepreneurship and the development of new businesses3. Development of Workforce Housing and Childcare Facilities
including Childcare providers/workforce3. Create jobs through business Expansion4. Skilled workforce development & Youth retention5. Support Communities downtown business development and improvement efforts6. Expand the use of the Vernon County Loan Funds7. Expand Countys Tourism economy and enhance Outdoor Recreation
- Cover Letter
- Executive Summary
- Plan Details and Implementation (in line with goals)
- Contract
- References and expected Results
Viroqua Transit Group
Items to share:
- What are we looking for?
- Priorities?
- Rideshareetc.org
- Providers ADRC, SMRT Bus, Local Transit, Others?
- Community, County, and Regional Planning Documents.
I spoke with Ken about our group, and our goals for understanding Vernon Co.`s existing transportation network, as well as any opportunities that exist within our region. Ken is also very knowledgeable about funding opportunities!
...Full Story Here
Broadband Study(s)
Local assistance programs
Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) - Local Programs
The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) represents a significant increase of federal funding available for local programs over the next five fiscal years.
Road and bridge assistance programs
These programs assist local governments with needed improvements to local roads, highways and bridges.
Transit assistance programs
Transit programs can assist local governments and transit systems with operating and/or capital expenses to support public transportation services, such as buses, vans and shared-ride taxi systems.
Other aid?
These programs provide financial assistance to local governments, along with other public and private entities, to make a variety of improvements to highways, airports, harbors, bike, rail and pedestrian facilities.
Related information:...
Notes:
Carbon Reduction Program
2023 Solicitation
- Carbon Reduction 2023 Application
- Carbon Reduction 2023 Instructions
- Carbon Reduction 2023 Flex Agreement
SFY 2023 Carbon Reduction Program Update - Presentation Deck
WEDC Grant Programs
ARPA TRAINING
...Full Story HereBOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF PUBLIC LANDS – LOAN PROGRAM
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT LOAN PROGRAM#WEDC #ED #Economic #Development
Notes:
Great River Road (Mississippi River Trail / MRT ) Bicycle Project
• Spans approximately 3,000 miles from Minnesota to LouisianaPress List
Names For Data Base
Peter Fletcher, Executive Director
Phone: 608.785.5977 E-mail: pfletcher@lacrossecounty.org
Jackie Eastwood, Transportation Planner
Phone: 608.785.6141 E-mail:
jeastwood@lacrossecounty.org
Anshu Singh, Ph.D.
Director of Sustainability and Conservation
Corn Belt Ports
Twin Towers Plaza
456 Fulton Street, Office Suite 253
Peoria, Illinois 61602
Cell: 419.481.0706
Email: anshu.singh@cornbeltports.com
Merrill Mechler-Hickson
Local Roads Programs & Finance Section Chief
Bureau of Transit, Local Roads, Railroads & Harbors
WisDOT Division of Transportation Investment Management
4822 Madison Yards Way, 6th Floor South, Madison, WI 53705
(608) 261-8977 desk; (414) 308-3984 mobile
Merrill.MechlerHickson@dot.wi.gov
Justin J. Scott, AICP
Project Manager, Freight and Transportation Planning
SRF Consulting Group
3701 Wayzata Boulevard, Suite 100, Minneapolis, MN 55416-3791
Direct: 763.249.6764 | jscott@srfconsulting.com
Evan Gross
Transportation Programs Specialist
Federal Transit Administration
200 W. Adams St. Suite 320
Chicago, IL 60606
Mary Forlenza
Planning & Program Development Team Leader
Planning, Air Quality, Environment, Civil Rights, Freight
City Center West | 525 Junction Rd, Suite 8000 | Madison, WI 53717
Email: mary.forlenza@dot.gov | Phone: 608-829-7517
Jim Kuehn
Jim Kuehn
Statewide MPO-RPC Coordinator
Wisconsin Department of Transportation
Bureau of Planning and Economic Development
4822 Madison Yards Way, 6th Floor South
P.O. Box 7913
Madison WI 53707-7913
608-266-3662
Subject: SW WisDOT Region/Economic Development Partners Meeting
Roselynn Bittorf
Transportation Economic Assistance Program Manager
Bureau of Planning and Economic Development (BPED)
roselynnx.bittorf@dot.wi.gov
608-267-2934
#names
Wisconsin Development Publications
Jon Notes: These are aggrigations of published news stories from around the State and will now include more MRRPC regional news. Please forward any news item for these three publications to me and Ken Harwood, Ken@MRRPC.com.
public transit agencies
Ken,
Below is a list of WisDOT’s primary contacts for public transit agencies operating within the Mississippi River RPC. Please let us know if you need any additional information.
City of River Falls | Kristi McKahan | Phone: (715) 426-3403 |
Email: kmckahan@rfcity.org | ||
Amy White | Phone: (715) 426-3408 | |
Email: awhite@rfcity.org | ||
City of Black River Falls | Alex Chown | Phone: (715) 284-5514 |
Email: city.admin@blackriverfalls.us | ||
City of Tomah | Molly Powell | Phone: (608) 374-7423 |
Email: mpowell@tomahwi.gov | ||
Kirk Arity | Phone: (608) 374-7453 | |
Email: karity@tomahwi.gov | ||
City of | James Krueger | Phone: (608) 789-7350 |
Email: kruegerj@cityoflacrosse.org | ||
Adam Lorentz | Phone: (608) 789-7350 | |
Email: lorentza@cityoflacrosse.org | ||
City of Onalaska | Sabrina Steger | Phone: (608) 392-0219 |
Email: ssteger@onalaskawi.gov | ||
City of Viroqua | Lori Polhamus | Phone: (608) 637-7522 |
Email: lpolhamus@viroqua-wisconsin.com | ||
City of Prairie du Chien | Tina Fuller | Phone: (608) 326-6406 |
Email: tfuller@prairieduchien-wi.gov |
Northern Grain Belt Ports and ANUAL MEETING
2023 Northern Grain Belt Ports Annual Meeting
Thursday, October 5, 2023 at xxxxx
xxxx, La Crosse, WI
Purpose: The Northern Grain Belt Ports initial organization meeting is to share information amongst stakeholders, network and help build a common unified vision for the Northern Grain Belt Ports
8:15-8:45 – Registration
8:30-9:00 Continental Breakfast
9:00-9:05 Administrative Remarks
9:05-9:10 Welcome – Mayor Mitch Reynolds, Mayor La Crosse, WI (Host)
9:10-9:15 Welcome – Mayor Scott Sherman, Mayor of Winona, MN. (Host)
9:15-9:20 Welcome – xxxxx Chair La Crosse Joint Board of Harbor Commissioners (Host)
9:20-9:50 Key Note Speaker
9:50-10:05: Corn Belt Ports Update
Federal Updates
10:05-10:10 Introduction - COL Eric Swenson, Commander and District Engineer, St. Paul District, US Army Corps of Engineers
10:10-10:35 Mr. Andrew Goodall Navigation and Ecosystem Sustainability Program (NESP) Program Manager - Rock Island District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
10:35-10:55 Marshall Plumley, Upper Mississippi River Restoration (UMRR) Program Director, Upper Mississippi River Restoration Update, Rock Island District,
10:55-11:15 Tamara Cameron, Director of Operations, Operations Update, St. Paul District, US Army Corps of Engineers
11:15-11:40 Mr. Travis Black, Director, Inland Waterways Gateway Office, Maritime Administration (MARAD) Update, US Department of Transportation
Upper Mississippi River Basin M-35/M-55 Work and Resilience Planning
11:40-12:00 Kirsten Wallace, Executive Director, Upper Mississippi River Basin Association
12:00-1:00 Lunch
State Updates
1:00-1:15 Mike Halsted, Harbors & Waters Program Manager, Wisconsin Department of Transportation
1:15-1:30 Andrew Andrusko, Statewide Planning, Minnesota Department of Transportation
1:30-1:45 WI Department of Natural Resources
1:45-2:00 MN Department of Natural Resources
Regional Planning Agencies
2:00-2:15 Jon Bingol, Executive Director, Mississippi River Regional Planning Agency
2:15-2:30 Peter Fletcher, Executive Director, La Crosse Area Planning Committee
Other Stakeholder
2:30-2:45 Bryan Hopkins, IL & Upper Mississippi, Director of Freshwater Conservation, The Nature Conservancy
2:45-3:00 xxxxx Upper Mississippi Waterway Association
3:00-3:10 Break
State Ports
3:10-3:20 Red Wing Port Authority
3:20-3:30 Winona Port Authority
3:30-3:40 Wabasha Port Authority
3:40-3:50 La Crosse Joint Board of Harbor Commissioners
3:50-4:00 Prairie du Chien Port Authority
The Annual Northern Grain Belt Ports Meeting will be held at on Thursday October 5, 2023
Registration fee is $xx per person
(includes Thursday breakfast & lunch)
Register on-line at xxxxx
Please See:
Port of La Crosse Brochure
Port Contact La Crosse
Adam Binsfeld
President at Brennan Marine Inc.abinsfeld@brennanmarine.comDirect: 608.519.5271
Brennan Marine, Inc.Corporate Headquarters818 Bainbridge StreetLa Crosse, WI 54603
Port Contact Prairie du Chien
jmikelson@prairiesandandgravel.com(608) 326-6471
Mississippi River Regional Planning Commission (MRRPC)
Working together to make the Mississippi River Region
a great place to live and work.
Staff
Corn Belt Ports Team
A few articles (or, additional information) below:
U.S. Army Corps breaks ground on tie-up site for river traffic (qctimes.com) ; https://qctimes.com/news/local/u-s-army-corps-breaks-ground-on-tie-up-site-for-river-traffic/article_443ab7d8-d617-5e4d-b8f5-67c5d631f694.html
$2.3M upgrade to Lock and Dam 14 to improve water traffic time, safety (msn.com) ; https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/2-3m-upgrade-to-lock-and-dam-14-to-improve-water-traffic-time-safety/ar-AA19NumI
https://www.radioiowa.com/2021/03/16/dot-putting-money-into-mississippi-river-mooring-for-barges/
NWC WELCOMES NEW MEMBER, NORTHERN GRAIN BELT PORTS!
- Corn Belt Ports Expand, Fourth Corn Belt Port Federally Listed - The Waterways Journal
- Northern Grain Belt Ports approval a win for soybean growers (waterwayscouncil.org)
- Corn Belt Ports Expand. The Northern Grain Belt Ports are Federally Approved and Now Join the List of Regional Ports in the Heart of the Corn Belt Going in to 2023 – Inland Rivers, Ports & Terminals, INC. (irpt.net)
- Northern Grain Belt Ports, WI – Inland Rivers, Ports & Terminals, INC. (irpt.net)
- Northern-Corn-Belt-Ports-Media-Release-Feb-23.pdf (irpt.net)
- Media Release #9 Corn Belt Ports Expand - The Northern Grain Belt Ports are Federally Approved – Inland Rivers, Ports & Terminals, INC. (irpt.net)
- Northern Grain Belt Ports receives federal recognition - Minnesota Soybean (mnsoybean.org)
- Inland Corn Belt Ports Seek Infrastructure Funds, More Freight | Transport Topics (ttnews.com)
- TDA Newsletter - transportation news (constantcontact.com): Northern Grain Belt Ports Federally Approved
- Northern Grain Belt Ports approval a win for soybean growers – AgriNews (agrinews-pubs.com)
- Minnesota Freight Advisory Committee “In the News” 9 Feb 23 https://www.ttnews.com/articles/inland-corn-belt-ports-seek-infrastructure-funds-more-freight
- https://www.constructionequipment.com/industry-news/news/21548993/infrastructure-investments-could-improve-midwest-ports-system