PLANNING AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Grant-writing and Administration

• The department prepares grant applications and administers grants from Alabama Department of Economic & Community Affairs (ADECA), Economic Development Administration (EDA), Delta Regional Authority (DRA), Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT), AL Power Foundation, Alabama Emergency Management Agency (AEMA), Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), etc.
• Recent projects include the following: Opelika Industrial Park Sewer, Phenix City Water Line Replacement, Lee County Water Line, Lee County Water Festival Educational Coloring Books, ADECA Energy Grants, Smith Station Walking Trail, Lee County Recreation Park, Russell County Senior Center, Smith’s Station Senior Center, Lee County Highway project, Russell County Ball fields, Twin Gates Drive in Hurtsboro Buyout Program, AEMA Mitigation Plan Coordination for Lee and Russell Counties including related updates, Emergency Shelter Grant for Russell County, Emergency Food and Shelter Program for Lee County, Russell County Weather Warning Siren HMGP, Russell County Individual Saferoom Grant, etc.

Revolving Loan Fund Program

• The fund provides low-interest, long-term financing to small and medium-sized businesses.
• The program is intended to fill the gap between what the bank can lend and what the borrower can provide in equity.
• This fund helps to create and maintain jobs within the Lee and Russell County borders.

RLF Brochure & RLF Application

For more information please contact: taylor.dobson@adss.alabama.gov

Existing Industry Program

• Program to identify existing industries and input data into a database for future economic development purposes.
• This program also works in cooperation with Chambers County, City of Auburn, Lee County, City of Opelika, City of Phenix City and Russell County.

Comprehensive Planning

• Assist the Lee County Emergency Management Agency and Russell County Emergency Management Agency to develop Natural Hazard Mitigation Plans, Homeland Security Assessments, grant applications and other special projects.
• Prepared a regional Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) Plan to be used as a guide for economic growth in Lee and Russell County.
• Developed a scenic byway inventory for Lee and Russell County

2009 Draft CEDS

State Data Center Affiliate

• Answer Census and Other Data Requests; Participate in Census 2010 Activities

Summary of Local 2000 Census Data

For more information please contact: Barbara.Scott@adss.alabama.gov

Transportation Planning & GIS Coordination

• Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO): The MPO manages federal funds and performs transportation planning for the Auburn-Opelika urbanized area. Plans include the Long-Range Transportation Plan, Transportation Improvement Plan, and the Unified Planning Work Program (Auburn-Opelika MPO)
• Geographic Information System: A GIS combines computer hardware, software and GIS personnel to capture, manage, analyze and display geographic information.  LRCOG uses a GIS in the development of Transportation Planning documents and in support of LRCOG projects by performing tasks such as: Address Geocoding, Flood Zone Analysis, Demographic Analysis and Cartographic (Map) Production.

For more information please contact: keith.bryan@adss.alabama.gov

Public Transit System

• LRCOG administers and operates the Lee Russell Public Transit (LRPT) and Phenix City Express (PEX) for our member governments
• The transit system has a Fixed Route in Phenix City and a Dail a Ride service in the City of Auburn, Lee County, the City of Opelika and Russell County. Dial-A-Ride is the new demand response service offered by Lee-Russell Public Transit (LRPT).   This service is provided on a first-come, first-served basis. 
• Contract services are also offered to non-profits, governments, and social service agencies to transport clients or members to a specific location.
• For more information please contact our Transit Department at (334) 749-9092.

Planning and Economic Development News

Public Notice

The Phenix City Police Department openly welcomes comments and input from its citizens in reference to funding pursued through grant applications and other Federal, State and Local initiatives.  If you are a citizen or interested party in regards to Phenix City and wish to make your comments or inquiries known throughout the FY09 grant processes please feel free to send comments to:

Via Mail
PCPD Grant Comments
C/O Lee-Russell Council of Governments
Attn: Taylor Dobson
2207 Gateway Drive, Opelika, AL 36801

Via E-Mail
taylor.dobson@adss.alabama.gov

Via Phone
334.749.5264 ext.204

Via Fax
334.749.6582

Please include your full name, what area of Phenix City you live in, and either an e-mail, phone # or address where you can be reached for follow up.  Phenix City Police Department is an equal opportunity employer.

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Planning Documents