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RPC SERVICES

 

 

The activities of the RPC benefit local governments in the region in several ways. In many instances, the activities of the RPC are prerequisite to the eligibility for Federal project construction funds for local governments. Although not an exclusive benefit to any one government, these certification activities are considered a major responsibility of the RPC. These activities result in substantial benefits to the region and help assure eligibility for public and private funding when member governments need financial assistance for projects such as transportation, economic, and community development.

Funds contributed by member governments are matched with various Federal and State grants which enable the RPC to undertake the following activities. Many of these services are provided as part of the overall operations of the RPC staff, while others are provided on a contract for fee basis negotiated to benefit RPC member governments.

Regional Planning/ Intergovernmental
Cooperation
A major emphasis of the RPC is overall regional,
multi-jurisdictional planning, including the following:

• Regional Comprehensive Planning
• Special corridor and multi-jurisdictional studies
• Strategic development planning
• Water Quality and other environmental management planning

Community Planning
The RPC is a resource used by member governments
for a variety of purposes. The RPC has staff expertise
and can assist governments in the following areas:

• General community plans to meet Local, State, and/or Federal needs
• Housing counts and structural condition surveys
• Land use surveys
• Community and Public facilities’ analysis and needs assessment
• Zoning Ordinances and Maps
• Subdivision Regulations
• Preparation or updates of municipal base maps

Transportation and Transit Planning
• Long Range and Transportation Improvement Program
and Planning for Urbanized Area
• Transit Planning
• Traffic counts and surveys
• Corridor analysis
• Limited traffic operations and safety studies and plans
• Other specific studies and plans
• Highway and traffic safety
• Greenways, Bicycle and Pedestrian Planning

Information Management & GIS
The IM Division is responsible for all information technology requirements and data management for RPC’s divisions, as well as services to member governments that include the following:

• GIS data development and analysis
• GIS deployment assistance
• ASDC affiliate and data repository
• Redistricting and site analysis
• Population and Employment data and forecasts

Economic Development
• Business Assistance and Regional Revolving Loan
Program
• Economic development data and planning
• Community profiles and brochures for prospective
industries
• Industrial site inventories and studies
• Development needs analysis
• Federal and State assistance for economic and
community development projects
• Assistance in securing business financing
Community Development
• Assistance in securing Federal and State aid
• Distribution of program information and regulations
• Preparation of pre-applications and applications
• Assistance with grant administration and management

Community Development
• Assistance in securing Federal and State aid
• Distribution of program information and regulations
• Preparation of pre-applications and applications
• Assistance with grant administration and management

Governmental Services and Special Projects
• Special assistance to rural areas
• Capital improvements programs and budgets
• Financial Capability Studies
• Operating budgets
• Utility Studies
• Strategic Planning
Special Studies
• Hazard Mitigation Planning
• Annexation Studies
• Downtown traffic circulation and pedestrian movement
plans
• Parking Studies
• Retail and Industrial market analysis

Human Resource Services
The RPC manages the Senior Employment Assistance
program, serving the Citizens of Birmingham and the five
surrounding counties. These services include:

• Management of employment services for Federal Senior Employment program and contracts with other agencies
• Supplemental community service through the Senior
Aides and other employment programs
• Coordination and staff assistance with respect to other
community services

In summary, RPC provides a wide range of services. The staff is prepared to undertake many of these services. Other services can be identified, and if the particular service is not available within the staff, the RPC will assist in obtaining the necessary assistance from other sources. The RPC has extensive and ongoing contractual relationships as approved by the RPC’s Board of Directors. These obligations must be met during the course of the program year. Requests for special projects or assistance should be discussed early on so that assistance can be rendered in a timely fashion.

Persons desiring more information should contact the RPC if there are any questions concerning the services available or planning and development assistance as needed.