Heartland Transportation Planning Organization Wins Award
The National Association of Regional Councils (NARC) presented the 2018 General Achievement and Leadership Awards at its 52nd Annual Conference and Exhibition Gala Dinner in Orlando. “We are excited to celebrate the achievements and leadership of our members and nominees this year,” said NARC President Bob Dallari, Commissioner of Seminole County, Florida. “Their hard work is on display throughout our communities, as they strive to meet challenges in innovative and effective ways. We thank all of our regions for their dedication to excellence, and our leaders for their personal efforts – and can’t wait to see the progress they will surely make going forward.”
The Heartland Transportation Planning Organization was honored with the Rural Achievement Award for the Highlands Transit Plan. Adopted in October 2017, the Highlands Transit Plan is the first adopted transit development plan for Highlands County, Florida. The strategic vision will guide planning, development, and implementation of potential future public transportation services. The development of the Highlands Transit Plan exemplified regional cooperation as the planning process was coordinated and implemented among multiple local and regional organizations, including Highland County, City of Avon Park, City of Sebring, Town of Lake Placid, the Heartland Transportation Planning Organization, and the Florida Department of Transportation.
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Tampa Bay RPC Partners with the Pinellas Park Chamber of Commerce
On August 2nd Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council staff partnered with the Pinellas Park Chamber of Commerce to stuff backpacks with school supplies alongside the business community, Pinellas Park Kiwanis, and City of Pinellas Park staff. This year set a new record with more than 1,000 backpacks and various school supplies donated. Backpacks were then donated to children in the community in preparation for the 1st day of school at a community event hosted by St. Petersburg College. The festivities included live music, hot dogs, bicycle raffles, and a K9 demonstration. This was a great opportunity for TBRPC staff to get involved in our community.
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South Florida RPC Conducts Regional Domestic Security Projects
Since 2005, the South Florida RPC has been assisting to plan and conduct training exercises throughout the region. Exercises include Operation RenderSafe conducted in 2014 at the Miami Beach Convention Center and City Hall and Operation HeatShield1 which took place at the Miami-Dade Downtown Government Center and Marlins Park in 2016.
The most recent full-scale exercise, Operation HeatShield2, was conducted this past April at more than ten different venues in Palm Beach County. Scenarios at the different sites included a coordinated terrorist attack at the Wellington Green Mall, a simulated takeover of a chemical plant and a hostage situation as a government facility. More than 1,000 participants from across the region were involved including nine SWAT, three forensics teams, patrol officers, fire and EMS, emergency management, health and hospitals. Planning is currently underway for Operation HeatShield3 expected to take place May 2019.
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Call for Nominations – APA Great Places in Florida Award
Great Places in Florida is an awards program created by the American Planning Association (APA) to highlight Florida’s Great Places and the communities and people that have created them. Florida is full of amazing places that keep our communities thriving and make this state a wonderful place to live. Great Places stand out with their exceptional character and lasting value. Citizens, planners, business leaders and elected officials work hard to create, sustain and improve the places that we love and enjoy in our cities. Nominations will be accepted through September 21. Finalists will be announced on October 1, voting will be open October 8-19 and the winner will be announced on October 26.
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