Implementation Assistance Grant

Madison County was announced as 1 of only 5 places in the country selected by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in March 2012 for the Smart Growth Implementation Assistance (SGIA) program, worth $65,000. Through this program, EPA provides technical assistance from private-sector experts to help communities find the best tools and resources to plan for growth in ways that sustain environmental and economic progress and create a high quality of life. 

Screen shot of news cast of Smart Grant in Madison County

Specifically, the grant was used to fund the development of a Smart Growth Audit Tool to provide rural local governments with well-informed recommendations to update codes and policies used in both comprehensive planning and land use ordinances.

Smart Growth Implementation Program Site Visit

As part of the technical assistance, the U.S. EPA and chosen consultant, Renaissance Planning Group, came to Madison County for a three day site visit, from February 25 to 27 2013, to pilot the draft version of the Smart Growth Audit Tool in three communities: 

  • Oneida
  • Town of Brookfield
  • Village of Chittenango

Over the course of the site visit, the team met with Town Supervisors, Mayors, Planning and Zoning Board members from these communities to run their codes, design guidelines, and comprehensive plans through the Smart Growth Audit Tool. This feedback was used to finalize the audit tool.

Resources

Smart Growth Technical Assistance teams public presentation