Rural Policy Advisory Commission Draft MA Rural Policy Plan available for public review
 

The Rural Policy Advisory Commission (RPAC) has drafted a Rural Policy Plan to identify, highlight and offer policy recommendations related to the unique issues and challenges faced by rural Massachusetts. The Plan provides a socioeconomic summary of rural Massachusetts and addresses 15 focus areas identified through listening sessions held in late 2018. The goal of the RPP is to provide a thorough but succinct outline of each Focus Area that identifies the issue and highlights sub-regional differences, describes current related state policies and a best practices from MA or another part of the country or world, and provides prioritized recommendations. Members of the RPAC and rural Regional Planning Agencies have shared in the effort to engage and solicit input from a large swath of stakeholders throughout Massachusetts through meetings and other efforts, and are sharing in the writing of the Plan.

Chapters of the Plan are available for public review from now until July 30th when the RPAC meets to finalize top priorities.  The availability of draft chapters is highlighted below. It is hoped that all chapters will be available for review by July 12th. Please check back regularly if the chapters you are interested in are not yet posted. To provide feedback and other comments, please email lindad@frcog.org.
 

Climate Change and Resiliency

Cross-Jurisdictional Service Sharing

Economic Development

Education

Land Use and Working Landscapes

Municipal Board and Staffing Constraints

Municipal Financial Capacity Constraints

Transportation – Other Modes

Transportation – Roads, Bridges and Culverts

Water and Sewer Infrastructure