THE ABCs of PDCs and GISGIS Use in Regional Planning

and Economic Development

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

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)

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.

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.

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

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.)

B. HOW DO REGIONAL PDCS USE GIS? Mapping Projects

Online Web Map Applications Project Map

REGION VII MAPPING APPLICATION

Each point on the map corresponds to current projects in the under the purview of Region VII.

Each point can have a number of attributes available in a pop-up, including description, costs, and date of project.

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 point on the map corresponds to a slide and narrative that is displayed on the side.

Each genre within the storymap can have a section. Each tab represents a theme occurring within Appalachian Forest Heritage Area’s project area..

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