Program Template

The original six-year comprehensive Community Development program for Champaign County continues with a large economic development loan program and county-wide housing rehabilitation under a grant-loan program for low-income homeowners. This extensive assistance to individual low-income homeowners, begun in 1979, expanded the role of RPC to that of a limited social service agency.

This history meant the Commission had the capacity to absorb the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) program, which grew out of the new Federalism of the early 1980's. Thus administration of the CSBG established the Regional Planning Commission as capable of direct social service delivery. This expansion considerably broadened the contest of the mission of planning for the welfare of Champaign County residents.

This brief overview of the history of the Regional Planning Commission shows its progression from the mid-sixties through the late 1990's. During this time, RPC has considerably expanded and broadened its operation. From development of programs needing traditional planning expertise such as comprehensive city plans, housing, transportation, rural wastewater studies, and zoning ordinances, to preparation of a comprehensive rural address system for emergency vehicles, the RPC has remained a coordinated intergovernmental planning body. Its venture into social services has been underscored by the annual "Comprehensive Needs Assessment and Resource Analysis" as well as by the State of the County Report, with both documents in heavy demand by other organizations and businesses. Regional Planning Commission documents such as these have traditionally been the basis for planning many grant requests and business ventures originating from within the county.