1. GIS Use in Regional Planning and Economic Development
THE ABCs of PDCs and GIS
GIS Use in Regional Planning and Economic Development

2. A. What are Regional PDCs?
Organizations, established by legislation in 1972, that are dedicated to the improvement of quality of life for the residents of West Virginia by promoting the social, economic, and educational, environmental and general welfare of the region.
Promote regional planning and economic development through assisting with Grant Writing, Labor Compliance, Section 3 and Title VI Adherence, Workforce Development, Intergovernmental Reviews, Environmental Reviews, Financial Administration and GIS Mapping
Manage, develop and provide technical assistance to various projects
Types of projects Regional PDCs provide include:
Infrastructure (broadband networks, water, sewer, transportation networks, etc.)
Workforce Development
Hazard Mitigation
Strategic Planning (CEDS)
Extensions of Local Communities and Governmental Agencies
There are 11 Planning and Development Councils in West Virginia
Region VII PDC
Seven Counties: Tucker, Randolph, Barbour, Upshur, Lewis, Gilmer, and Braxton
31 Communities

3. B. How do regional PDCs use GIS?
Pre-Project Planning
Site Selection (Broadband Mapping)
Site Analysis (Broadband Mapping) (UCDA)
Environmental Review (LWCF)
Section 106 Review
Analyzing Data
US Census and Household Statistics from ACS (Broadband Mapping)
Statistical Analysis (SCBG)
Mapping Projects
Section 6(f) Boundary Maps (LWCF)
Title VI Maps (SCBG)
Internal Maps (Voting Districts, Magisterial Districts, etc.)
Online Web Map Applications (Project Map, Story Maps)

4. B. How do regional PDCs use GIS?
Pre-Project Planning
Site Selection & Analysis (Broadband Mapping)
Broadband Mapping Grant Application
Goals:
Determine which areas in Region VII needed Broadband Service (currently served at 4G and under)
Determine 5 and 10 mile buffers
Determine which sites could provide a contiguous network of service through wireless broadband towers
Illustrate existing service vs proposed service
The initial map created was to show existing Micrologic wireless towers and coverage area along with existing broadband coverage area 4G and up.
The final map showed a proposed coverage map based on the sites selected for new wireless towers.

5. B. How do regional PDCs use GIS?
Pre-Project Planning
Environmental Review (LWCF)
Land and Water Conservation Fund Grant Application
Determine if any endangered species or sensitive land areas are present within the proposed grant work boundaries
Section 106 Review
UCDA Innovation and Technology Center
Site Analysis and review to determine whether any historic or culturally significant sites/components exist in the project area. Requires the development of a Site Map and Cultural Features Map.

6. B. How do regional PDCs use GIS?
Analyzing Data
US Census and Household Statistics from ACS/Statistical Analysis
Broadband Mapping Project
Determine Household Numbers, Per Capita Income, Employment by Sector, Households Below Poverty Level, Disabled Residents, Veterans, Population, Income Levels, Age/Sex, Unemployment Rate, Median Household Income
Challenges: Buffered Distances intersected with Block and Block Group Boundaries
Small Cities Block Grants (SCBG)
Determine Population, Identify Census Tracts, Determine Ethnic/Cultural Backgrounds

7. B. How do regional PDCs use GIS?
Mapping Projects
Section 6(f) Boundary Maps (LWCF)
Title VI Maps (SCBG)
Internal Maps (Voting Districts, Magisterial Districts, etc.)

8. B. How do regional PDCs use GIS?
Mapping Projects
Online Web Map Applications
Project Map
REGION VII MAPPING APPLICATION
Each point can have a number of attributes available in a pop-up, including description, costs, and date of project.
Each point on the map corresponds to current projects in the under the purview of Region VII.

9. B. How do regional PDCs use GIS?
Mapping Projects
Online Web Map Applications
Story Maps (AFHA)
Story Maps have the ability to relay the history of a place or group of places so that the user can understand the underlying events with respect to where they occurred.
In heritage tourism, Story Maps increase awareness of sites and the stories unique to a specific place, while making information accessible to people through the click of a mouse. It increases interest and allows users to get a preview of a place, as well as help to plan a future visit.
Each genre within the storymap can have a section. Each tab represents a theme occurring within Appalachian Forest Heritage Area’s project area..
Each point on the map corresponds to a slide and narrative that is displayed on the side.

10. C. What is the future direction of gis within Regional PDCs?
General Community Maps
Enhancing and Developing Regional CEDS
Online Strategic Planning and Economic Development Application
Infrastructure Mapping
Story Maps
Educating the Public about Benefits of GIS