2035 Regional Growth Forecast The 20-page easy-to-use 2035 Regional Growth Forecast is filled with colorful maps and charts which are tied together by dense, yet insightful narrative. The publication gives an overview of the forecast development process, summarizes major results, and presents some interesting findings. The brochure is available at H-GAC offices, at H-GAC-sponsored meetings, by email request to forecast@h-gac.com< , or you can click here< to view the electronic version. Forecast Trivia:What percent of total regional population in 2035 will live within 2 miles of a major highway? The increase in our region's growth by 2035 will be equivalent to adding a population the size of what major city? (Answer: Los Angeles) |
Galveston Bay from the Sea
Texas A&M Sea Grant Extension's 57-foot teaching vessel, R/V Karma, will be providing Galveston Bay discovery cruises from its temporary berth at the Houston Yacht Club from May 15 -31. These learning adventures are primarily intended for student and youth development groups from the Houston-Galveston Area. However, several opportunities for adult groups and the general public have been built into this lengthy visit of the Karma and its crew of marine educators. For information, call 979-863-2940, e-mail floatingclassroom@ag.tamu.edu or click here.
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Don't know who has the answers to your H-GAC questions? Click on Program Staff Contacts to get a list of names and phone numbers ot put you in touch with the right person. |
Questions or Suggestions? Contact Mary M. Spain Intergovernmental Relations Manager 713-993-4598 Houston-Galveston Area Council 3555 Timmons Lane
Suite 120 Houston, TX 77027 713-627-3200 PO Box 22777 Houston, TX 77227 :: |
| H-GAC's new Regional Growth Forecast documents what most of us already know: we are living in a period of dynamic growth and change for our region and its communities. One of the most important changes H-GAC foresees is the continuing growth and dispersal of major employment centers, those with more than 5,000 jobs, throughout our region. Our eight urban counties are projected to grow an astounding 67% by 2035. This kind of growth means both challenge and opportunity for our region's local governments, which must provide public facilities and services for our expanding population. H-GAC can help you understand what's coming and provide tools for planning and preparation. If you want to know more about the forecast for your area, contact Dmitry Messen at dmitry.messen@h-gac.com . Sincerely, Jack Steele Executive Director ____________________________________________________ |
Draft 2008-2011 Transportation Improvement Plan and Draft Transportation Public Participation Plan H-GAC is hosting a public meeting on Tuesday, May 15, 2007, 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., for the 2008-2011 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) and the Draft Public Participation Plan (PPP). H-GAC serves as the region's Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) for transportation planning for the eight-county area that includes Harris, Brazoria, Chambers, Fort Bend, Galveston, Liberty, Montgomery, and Waller counties. Residents of all eight counties are invited to comment on proposed federally-funded and locally-funded transportation projects and programs scheduled for implementation September 2007-August 2011, as well as the updated Public Participation Plan. The meeting will be held at H-GAC offices, 3555 Timmons Lane, 2nd Floor, Conference Room A, Houston, TX77027. For information about TIP projects and the TIP planning process, contact Lynn Spencer at LSpencer@h-gac.com, 713-993-2436, or P.O. Box 22777, Houston, TX 77227-2777. Information about individual TIP projects is available at www.h-gac.com/transportation. For more information click here. ____________________________________________________ |
| FHWA Pedestrian Safety Action Plan Workshop H-GAC is hosting a free two-day workshop, on Monday and Tuesday, May 21 and 22, from 8:00 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. at the Houston-Galveston Area Council offices, 2nd Floor Conference Room B, 3555 Timmons Lane, Houston, Texas, 77027. Participants in this workshop will gain insight on developing a local pedestrian plan from two of the country's top pedestrian safety experts. Ideal candidates for this workshop include city, county and state engineers and planners who are actively involved in the planning, design and review of transportation improvement projects. Enrollment is limited to 30 participants. RSVPs must be received no later than Friday, May 18. Please call Dan Raine at 832-681-2525 with any questions or comments. Email your reservation to dan.raine@h-gac.com. ____________________________________________________ |
Clean Rivers Program Steering Committee to Meet  The final Clean Rivers Program FY 2008-2009 work plan and budget will be presented for approval by the Basin Steering Committee on
Tuesday, June 5, 2007 at 10:00 a.m. at H-GAC. The work plan and budget can be found at www.h-gac.com/wrpublications. Comments or questions should be directed to Todd Running, Clean Rivers Program Manager at todd.running@h-gac.com. The Steering Committee includes representatives from the general public, industry, business, agriculture, environmental groups and government, and it is charged with setting priorities within its basins. The committee is designed to allow local concerns to be addressed and regional solutions to be identified and recommended for a watershed management approach. Approval of the new work plan will direct the monitoring efforts of H-GAC's partners over the next biennium. Accurate and appropriate surface water quality data is necessary for determining the aquatic life uses for streams and determining whether water bodies meet state water quality standards. You can access the Coordinated Monitoring Schedule at http://cms.lcra.org to see where H-GAC and its partners currently monitor. The Draft FY 2008 monitoring schedule, which begins September 1, 2007, will be posted by May 15. ____________________________________________________ |
Houston-Galveston Area Local Development Corporation The Houston-Galveston Area Local Development Corporation (H-GALDC) is a non-profit corporation which promotes economic development and job creation in the H-GAC region. The H-GALDC provides long-term financing to small businesses for real estate acquisition, construction and equipment purchases via the Small Business Administration 504 loan program. Businesses participating in the program range from manufacturing and welding companies to medical practices, restaurants and hotels. The H-GALDC is currently ranked number one in loan volume for the Houston region and is ranked second state-wide.
The H-GALDC has created an innovative community enhancement grant program which can be used by local governments, economic development corporations and non-profit organizations to revitalize downtowns, gateways and business districts, plant community trees along streets, trails and parks, and enhance worker transit and job training programs. All community enhancement grants require a minimum of 1-to-1 local match and are designed to be the spark behind larger community and economic development projects. Requests for funding are made through a formal application process which includes a mandatory site visit, coordination with H-GAC economic development staff, and project approval by the H-GALDC. The H-GALDC has also created a Rural Micro-Enterprise Loan Fund to help provide small loans to businesses that may not be able to obtain conventional financing.
For more information on the SBA 504 loan program and Rural Micro-Enterprise Loan Fund, please contact James Walsh at james.walsh@h-gac.com or 713-499-6675. For more information regarding community enhancement grants, please contact Chuck Wemple at chuck.wemple@h-gac.com or 713-993-4514. ____________________________________________________ |
H-GAC Board of Directors The agenda and attachments for the Board of Directors meetings are posted on our website at www.h-gac.com. The documents are posted the week before each meeting. Board meetings are held at 10:00 a.m. on the third Tuesday of each month on the second floor at 3555 Timmons Lane, Houston, Texas 77027. |
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