COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

Community Planning

Community planning is the cornerstone of a thriving community. It involves a collaborative process where residents, businesses, and local governments work together to envision and create a desirable future for the community. We facilitate public input and help communities develop long-term visions for their growth and development.

We guide community planning processes, including:

  • Comprehensive plans: We guide the development of comprehensive plans that address a wide range of community issues, including land use, housing, economic development, and environmental sustainability.

  • Special area plans: We develop plans for specific areas, such as downtowns, corridors, or neighborhoods, addressing local concerns and priorities. 

  • Park Master Plans: We assist communities in developing a 5-Year Park Master Plan to understand the current needs and gaps in recreational opportunities and how to implement improvements in the next five years.

  • Parking Studies: We study the current and future by assessing current conditions, engaging the community, and analyzing future parking demand to develop and implement parking management strategies.

  • Public Input Session: We employ various public input strategies, including public meetings, workshops, surveys, and online engagement tools, to ensure that the community’s voice is heard

The most successful community plans are developed with the active participation of the community. We encourage residents and leaders to get involved in planning and help shape their community’s future.

Grants Management

Grants are a valuable resource that can help communities achieve their goals and address critical needs. From improving parks and recreation facilities to supporting social services and implementing innovative community initiatives, grants can provide much-needed funding for many projects.

We assist community organizations and local governments in identifying and applying for grants from various sources. Our services include:

  • Grant Research and Identification: We help communities identify potential funding sources that align with their needs and priorities.

  • Income Surveys: We conduct income surveys to get communities eligible for CDBG funding.

  • Grant Writing Assistance: Our experienced staff help with grant writing, from assessing needs to crafting proposals, budgets, and narratives.

  • Grant Application Review & Submission: We review grant applications for completeness, accuracy, and compliance with the funding guidelines.

  • Administration and Reporting: We help manage awarded grants through budget tracking, procurement, performance monitoring, and compliance.

We are committed to helping our communities access the resources they need to thrive. Our Grants Management team provides expert guidance and support to ensure that grant applications are competitive and that awarded funds are used effectively and efficiently.

Regional Economic Development Planning

A strong regional economy benefits all communities within it. MACOG serves our region as the Economic Development District (EDD) as designated by the U.S. EDA. MACOG has served our region in this capacity since 2010. We collaborate with regional partners to develop strategies that promote economic growth and prosperity. This includes:

  • Leading the Development of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS): This strategy will guide regional economic development efforts, identify key priorities, leverage regional assets, and address shared challenges. 

  • Conducting a Regional Housing Study: This comprehensive study analyzes housing needs and attainability across the region, identifying barriers to housing access and developing strategies to increase housing supply and affordability.

  • Advancing Broadband Planning: In today’s digital age, access to reliable and affordable broadband internet is essential for economic growth and competitiveness. We are actively involved in understanding regional efforts to expand broadband access and affordability throughout the region.

  • Collaborating with Local Economic Development Organizations: We work closely with local economic development organizations (EDOs) across the region, sharing information, coordinating efforts, and leveraging resources to achieve shared economic development goals.

Regional Brownfields Coalition

MACOG was awarded three grants from the U.S. EPA in 2019, 2022, and 2024 to support brownfields redevelopment. Grant funding catalyzes the reuse of blighted and potentially contaminated properties through environmental site assessments and planning for cleanup and reuse. Notable successes include new housing projects led by Habitat for Humanity, Lacasa, Real America LLC, and Anderson Partners in Elkhart, Goshen, Plymouth, South Bend, and Warsaw.

MACOG invites the public to get involved by submitting sites of interest and attending public meetings.