The many roles Upper Explorerland Regional Planning Commission fills in providing assistance to northeast Iowa

by Lissa Blake

While the name Upper Explorerland frequently surfaces in regard to city and county meetings, few people understand the scope of what the organization does. Upper Explorerland Regional Planning Commission Executive Director Rachelle Howe and Economic Development Department Head Diana Johnson recently spent some time explaining the organization’s operations.

“Upper Explorerland is a council of governments (COG) that serves as an extension of city and county governments in order to assist them,” said Howe.

HISTORY
Upper Explorerland Regional Planning Commission (UERPC) was formed in 1972 to serve the 52 cities and five counties - Allamakee, Clayton, Fayette, Howard and Winneshiek - in northeast Iowa as an extension of local governments. The Commission has operated in northeast Iowa for over 46 years and provides a broad range of ongoing services to include economic and community development, transportation planning, housing assistance and training programs.

With locations in Postville and Decorah, UERPC has the personnel, facilities and equipment needed to perform the fiscal, administrative and technical duties for this program. The Commission has vast experience in the administration and management of federally and state-funded programs. Since 1972, it has received over $246 million in state and federal financial assistance to improve the quality of life for the region.

CONSTANTLY CHANGING
Howe said while many people hear the Commission’s name on a frequent basis, they don’t always understand their involvement in specific projects.

“Our services are constantly changing to meet the needs of the region. We’re a one-stop shop, but it’s ever-evolving. That’s what makes our jobs fun,” said Howe.

The Commission employs 21 people, who Howe said are all service-oriented individuals who are great at coming up with creative solutions for communities.

“Forty years ago, our organization lived on federal grants. In an age when federal and state grants are diminishing, we continue to be diverse while filling the needs of communities, counties, businesses and organizations,” said Howe. “I like to attribute that to our staff’s out-of-the-box thinking.”

THEIR PHILOSOPHY
Because the organization is a governmental entity, it is able to provide myriad services at a lower cost than a for-profit organization.

“The Commission’s goal has always been to provide our cities and counties with creative and practical consulting services at the most reasonable cost possible to enable our local governments to efficiently and effectively meet their goals and objectives,” said Johnson.

“Because we are a government organization, we do not have to operate at a profit, compared to a private consulting firm.”

WHAT THEY DO
The Commission is the employer of record for the Winneshiek, Fayette and Allamakee County Economic Development organizations. These counties contract with UERPC for staff and are able to utilize the Commission’s full staff to support their organizations.

In addition, the Commission offers a number of services, including housing assistance, housing rehabilitation/repair, help with sewer and water treatment funding, a revolving loan fund, community development plans, work and job training and more.

HOUSING ASSISTANCE
Upper Explorerland houses the Regional Housing Authority that assists low-income families in having access to decent, safe and sanitary housing. The Section 8 Housing Program provides assistance in the private rental market through the Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Housing Choice Voucher Program.

Applications are taken in person Mondays at the Postville office, located at 134 West Green Street, from 8 a.m.-noon and 12:30-3:30 p.m. For more information, call 563-864-7551.

HOUSING REHAB
UERPC also has established a Northeast Iowa Regional Housing Trust Fund for the five-county area. The Housing Assistance Plan, certified through the Iowa Finance Authority, has a goal to develop, redevelop, rehabilitate and renovate single-family and/or multi-family owner-occupied and rental dwellings.

Funds may cover roof repair, furnace repair and replacement, energy efficiency updates, electrical and plumbing, handicap accessibility, homebuyer assistance and more. Funding limits are set at $10,000 per project. For more information, call 563-864-7551, ext. 10.

UERPC currently is accepting applications for an additional housing rehabilitation/improvement program through funding from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines. Through this program, an additional $733,700 is available to assist 29 households with homeowner rehabilitation. Funding limits are set at a maximum of $23,000 per project and will be in the form of a secured grant. This program is geared toward the elderly and special-needs households.

For more information, call 563-864-7551, ext. 106 or visit the UERPC website at uerpc.org and click the Housing tab.

SEWER AND WATER
Another program administered by UERPC is funded through the federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program to assist cities and counties with projects such as sanitary sewer system improvements, water system improvements, water and wastewater treatment facility projects, storm sewer projects related to sanitary sewer system improvements and community facilities, such as daycares or senior centers.

REVOLVING LOAN FUND
The Upper Explorerland Revolving Loan Fund and Intermediary Relending Program provide financing to new and expanding businesses for which credit is not otherwise available on terms and conditions which permit completion and/or the successful operation of proposed business activities.

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
Upper Explorerland also is available to help communities with short and long-term goals, including comprehensive planning and hazard mitigation planning. Services include GIS mapping, land-use maps, zoning maps, school district maps, census tract maps, tourism maps and more.

SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOL
UERPC helps coordinate the Safe Routes to School Program in partnership with the Northeast Iowa Food and Fitness Initiative, which serves Allamakee, Chickasaw, Clayton, Fayette, Howard and Winneshiek counties. The program offers planning guidance and support for things like walking and biking school bus routes, bike and pedestrian safety education, walking clubs and community walks.

JOB TRAINING
The Commission also provides employment and training opportunities for low-income and other special groups through the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA). For more information regarding any of UERPC’s programs and how it can help individuals, communities or organizations, visit uerpc.org or call 563-864-7551 (Postville) or 563-382-6171.