Analyzing the Economic Impacts of Natural Resource and Recreation Investments
Extension Community and Economic Development
Visitor and spending information from similar recreation settings in Iowa are used to estimate expected economic impacts associated with investing in local and regional natural resource facilities.
CD-DIAL (Community Development–Data Information and Analysis Laboratory)
Extension Community and Economic Development, Institute for Design Research and Outreach, College of Design
CD-DIAL works with communities, organizations, and state and local agencies to assist and build decision-making capacity in these groups, especially as they collect and use information about their local population members or the constituents they serve.
Community Development Online Master''s Program
North Central Regional Center for Rural Development
This is an interdisciplinary, inter-institutional master''s program that is entirely online. The program is offered by the Great Plains IDEA (Interactive Distance Education Alliance).
The Master of Community Development degree program is for community leaders, practitioners, and for those committed to people and places. It provides the skills, information, and networks needed to facilitate sustainable and prosperous community change. This degree program equips practitioners with the tools necessary to build community for the 21st century.
Check this website for more information: www.gpidea.org/prospective/community/cdProgram.html
GIS: Volunteered Geographic Information (VGI)
Extension Community and Economic Development, Department of Landscape Architecture
New interactive technologies on the Web such as Google Maps, Google Earth or other Web 2.0 applications capable of geotagging information enables citizens to create their own personal maps of a community or specific place. Termed Volunteered Geographic Information (VGI) this information can be used to by decision makers as they plan the future of a community.
Introduction to Planning & Zoning workshops
Extension Community and Economic Development, Office of State and Local Government Programs, College of Design, Department of Community and Regional Planning
This three-hour program is designed to introduce the basic concepts of planning and zoning to local officials. Topics include the comprehensive plan, the zoning and subdivision ordinances, and the roles of elected councils and boards, the planning commission and the board of adjustment in land use decision-making.
keywords: land use, law
Introduction to Planning and Zoning DVD
Extension Community and Economic Development, Office of State and Local Government Programs, College of Design, Department of Community and Regional Planning
This three-hour DVD is a recording of the July 19, 2005 Introduction to Planning and Zoning workshop held in Ames. It is designed to introduce the basic concepts of planning and zoning to local officials. Topics include the comprehensive plan, the zoning and subdivision ordinances, and the roles of elected councils and boards, the planning commission and the board of adjustment in land use decision-making.
Iowa Municipal Clerks Institute and Academy
Extension Community and Economic Development, Iowa Municipal Finance Officers, Office of State and Local Government Programs
The Municipal Clerks Institute provides educational credit toward professional certifications, including Certified Municipal Clerk, Certified Iowa Municipal Clerk, Certified Municipal Finance Officer and Iowa Certified Administrator.
In addition to the Institute, the Academy is a continuing education program offered to those wishing to retain their certifications.
keywords: city clerk
Iowa Precinct Election Official Certification Training
Extension Community and Economic Development, Office of State and Local Government Programs, Iowa State Association of County Auditors
Iowa Precinct Election Official Certification Training consists of three two-hour sessions of training for precinct election officials on Iowa election law, responsibilities of precinct election officials, voting machine operation, ballot security, and voter privacy. This program is conducted in conjunction with county election commissioners (county auditors).
keywords: poll worker, election training, precinct worker
Iowa Statewide Urban Design and Specifications (SUDAS) Program
Center for Transportation Research and Education
SUDAS is the statewide standard for design and construction of all types of common urban public works improvements (generally, those found in the street rights-of-way) in the State of Iowa. The program primarily consists of the maintenance and improvement of two manuals, design and specifications. These manuals are used to provide uniform design guidelines for engineers and construction specifications for contractors.
Iowa Traffic Safety Data Service (ITSDS)
Center for Transportation Research and Education
ITSDS provides agencies with the most readily available crash data analysis resources in Iowa. It was created to fill the gap between what safety data users can gather for themselves and what they can obtain from experts. ITSDS uses the latest in geographic information systems technology developed by the Iowa DOT. Using the data and analyses provided by ITSDS, agencies can help reduce the number of crashes in their jurisdictions.
Local Technical Assistance Program (LTAP)
Center for Transportation Research and Education
The goal of LTAP is to share new research and updated information with local transportation agencies and help them in their daily transportation operations. The Iowa LTAP efforts include a quarterly technology newsletter, transportation lending library, training workshops, and individualized technical assistance. Iowa LTAP is a key venue for disseminating and implementing transportation research and best practices operations. Many research projects become topics for technical and/or newsletter articles, workshop and seminar presentations, and library reference materials.
Planning Officials Academy
Institute for Design Research and Outreach, Office of State and Local Government Programs, College of Design, Department of Community and Regional Planning
This one-day certificate program will use hands-on case studies and practice scenarios to educate participants in the essential principles and practices of managing the land use process. Topics include the legal framework for planning and zoning, finding and working with planning information, meeting management and record keeping, the operation of the zoning ordinance, subdivision plat and site plan review.
keywords: zoning, land use
Public Works Geodatabase
Department of Community and Regional Planning
Geographic information systems (GIS) provide a powerful alternative to the paper maps many cities have of the public works infrastructure. Unlike paper maps, data stored in GIS can be easily edited to reflect infrastructure modifications or expansion. This program will provide two services. First, paper maps of public works will be digitized and incorporated into a geodatabase. Second, personnel who work with public works data will be trained in the use of a GIS and geodatabase.
Safety Circuit Rider
Center for Transportation Research and Education
Iowa''s Safety Circuit Rider program deals primarily with highway safety related issues such as temporary traffic control for work zones, flagger training, permanent traffic signing and pavement markings, roadside safety and other related issues. Workshops, studies, and advice on these topics can be provided upon request.
Special Topics Workshops
Institute for Design Research and Outreach, College of Design, Department of Community and Regional Planning
These two- to three-hour programs will be offered as evening programs to alert local officials to changes in legislation, important court cases, “hot topics” or new and innovative planning practices. These workshops will be marketed through the ISU Extension website and county extension offices, the Iowa League of Cities and the Iowa State Association of Counties. They will be scheduled in response to local interest.
State Election Administrators Training (SEAT)
Office of State and Local Government Programs, Iowa State Association of County Auditors
Program offers educational programs which lead to being certified in election administration in the state of Iowa. The program also offers courses which enable election administrators to maintain their certification.
keywords: election, auditor
Statistics in the Community (STATCOM)
Iowa State University Department of Statistics
Statistics in the Community (STATCOM) is a community outreach program that serves local communities throughout the nation. At Iowa State, STATCOM offers statistical advice and expertise to governmental and nonprofit groups. Students in the Department of Statistics coordinate the statistical consulting services provided through STATCOM.
Township Trustee and Clerk Orientation
Extension Community and Economic Development
Three-hour workshop covering legal responsibilities of township trustees and clerks with primary focus on fire and emergency management, cemetery management, and fence law.
Urban Growth Assessment
Department of Community and Regional Planning
As cities continue to expand, it is important to examine patterns of urban growth to determine if they are developing in the most compact and efficient manner. This program will use geographic information systems (GIS) to asses a city’s growth based on seven spatial measures. The result of these spatial analyses will be used to make recommendations for future growth, land use, and zoning, with the goal of protecting farmland, avoiding leap-frog development, and promoting infill development.
USDA Rural Development
United States Department of Agriculture
Financing and technical assistance for housing, business development and critical community infrastructure projects