How to get those planning grants Susan Bigelow, CEcD Vice President of Development Northern Wyoming Community College District WEDA Conference September 26, 2012 Why

Project Concept Goal(s) What we know What we don’t know Project Planning Answers to questions Modifications to concept Go/No Go Implementation Phase Construction Operations & Maintenance Or Implement ED Plan

Project Concept Goal(s) What we know What we don’t know Project Planning Answers to questions Modifications to concept Go/No Go Implementation Phase Construction Operations & Maintenance Or Implement ED Plan

Project Concept Goal(s) What we know What we don’t know Funding for planning Need: Expertise Information Facilitation Decisions Project Planning Answers to questions Modifications to concept Go/No Go Funding for Implement -ation Sources: Grants Fundraising Borrowing Implement -ation Phase Constructio n Operations & Maintenance Or Implement ED Plan

Funding for planning Request funding for assistance needed to do the project planning. Project Planning Structure planning process to answer the questions. Implementation Phase Start with what we don’t know – make a list of questions to be answered. Project Concept We have a goal – but do we have a supportable plan?

Planning Projects – End Result New WBC Business Ready Communities Planning Grants A document that either creates or further develops a community’s specific economic development strategy. The plan at a minimum must identify the ◦potential future economic development opportunities and ◦feasibility for funding the identified opportunities.

Implementation Plan Result of good planning process. Answers questions for funding proposals and grant applications. Increases probability of getting funding. Increases probability of successful project. Funding for implementation Infrastructure grants Fundraising Implementation Phase Successful Projects

Reasons to use planning grants 1. Structures the planning process 2. Determines the results of the process in terms of “what will we know then?” 3. Facilitates a team to consensus 4. Pays for expertise and staff capacity to complete the plan 5. Can force a decision about go/no go 6. Prepares for funding phase 7. Increases probability of getting funding 8. Increases probability of being successful

What we know National data and studies ◦Bureau of Labor Statistics  ◦Census  ◦Energy Information Administration   ◦Bureau of Economic Analysis 

What we know State data and studies ◦Labor Market Information  ◦Profile of Demographics, Economics and Housing  Local studies and data ◦Collection of Wyoming Planning Documents  ◦Comprehensive Plans ◦Comprehensive Economic Development Strategies ◦Community Assessments – Rural Development

Local planning documents Sheridan County Master Plan for Child Development Center, Sheridan (2007) Sheridan County Fairgrounds Phase II Report (2006) Business Plan of the Free Clinic of Sheridan County (2006) Sheridan County Housing Needs Assessment. (2006) Sheridan County Fairgrounds Feasibility Study (2005) Master Plan for Child Development Center, Sheridan Sheridan County Fairgrounds Phase II Report Business Plan of the Free Clinic of Sheridan County Sheridan County Housing Needs Assessment. Sheridan County Fairgrounds Feasibility Study Sheridan Sheridan Senior Center Needs Assessment and Plan (2011) Sheridan Senior Center's In-Home Services Program Memo (2011) Sheridan High Tech Park Conceptual Plan (2010) Arts and Culture: Economic Inventory, Assessment, Strategy and Work Plan for Sheridan, Wyoming (2008) Green House for Sheridan (2006) Our Camp, Inc. Planning Only Grant Feasibility Study and Report (2005) WYSTAR (Wyoming Substance Abuse Treatment and Recovery Center) Planning only Grant Feasibility Tudy and Report (2003) Market Analysis & Feasibility Study: the Historical Sheridan Inn as a Hospitality Property. (2003) Downtown Sheridan Streetscape Master Plan Update (2001) Downer Neighborhood Sanitary Sewer, Streets and Drainage Improvements Feasibility Study. (1998) Sheridan Senior Center Needs Assessment and Plan Sheridan Senior Center's In-Home Services Program Memo Sheridan High Tech Park Conceptual Plan Arts and Culture: Economic Inventory, Assessment, Strategy and Work Plan for Sheridan, Wyoming Green House for Sheridan Our Camp, Inc. Planning Only Grant Feasibility Study and Report WYSTAR (Wyoming Substance Abuse Treatment and Recovery Center) Planning only Grant Feasibility Tudy and Report Market Analysis & Feasibility Study: the Historical Sheridan Inn as a Hospitality Property. Downtown Sheridan Streetscape Master Plan Update Downer Neighborhood Sanitary Sewer, Streets and Drainage Improvements Feasibility Study.

What we don’t know/have Answers to questions ◦for implementation grant application ◦for business plan ◦for funding proposals to local governments ◦raised by the steering group Expertise needed to answer questions Capacity to conduct the planning project Realistic schedule Accurate costs

Recent project in Sheridan WYO Performing Arts and Education Center ◦Identified questions that needed to be answered ◦Reviewed existing planning documents/studies  Arts & Culture Assessment  WYO Theater Business Plan  Downtown Sheridan Master Plan ◦Decided College/City/WYO staff had expertise and capacity to develop answers for most questions ◦Hired architect to complete concept and cost

Current project in Sheridan Affirmation of target industries ◦Update to 2007 Wadley Donovan Study Alignment of Career Technical Education pipeline to Occupations ◦Programs from Junior High through Community College to target industry occupations Target industries verification ◦Team does not have expertise/experience Alignment of programs to occupations ◦Team does not have capacity to complete study

Why to get those planning grants Opportunity for a planning grant? Any questions? Thank you! Contact information: Susan Bigelow (mobile) ext Northern Wyoming Community College District PO Box 1500 Sheridan, WY 82801