SERVES: Local governments in developing communities on the edge of the Twin Cities metropolitan area
PROGRAM: The University of Minnesota’s Community Growth Options (U-CGO) program provides local governments with appropriate student or faculty resources to carry out research on a project defined by the community. Projects typically have a clear product that will be used to achieve a defined community goal. U-CGO is a competitive program and only the best projects are funded. Examples of appropriate projects include, but are not limited to:
- mapping or identifying significant natural resources
- analyzing community demographic or economic trends
- conducting market research to identify economic development opportunities
- designing a community attitude survey on growth and development issues
- creating a parks and trails plan
- updating ordinances for land use, natural resource preservation, or historic preservation
- developing a community marketing plan for local agricultural producers
GOALS:
- Help local communities manage growth patterns on the fringe of the Minneapolis–St. Paul metropolitan area in ways that make development more sustainable, more environmentally responsive, and more economically efficient
- Create and sustain the capabilities of local governments on the metropolitan fringe to effectively plan for land use and growth
- Activate a public process of comprehensive planning and community visioning that helps to create and maintain sense of place, and community cohesion
- Encourage University faculty to carry out research projects
that assist local communities on the edge of the metropolitan area in their efforts to manage the consequences of growth and development in their communities
- Provide University graduate students with opportunities to apply their research and technical skills to real-world community challenges and gain experience that provides an advantage in the job market
ELIGIBILITY: To be eligible, communities must meet the following criteria:
- Geographic location—must be located in one ofthe following counties: Anoka, Carver, Chisago, Dakota, Goodhue, Hennepin, Isanti, Ramsey, Scott, Sherburne, Washington, or Wright.
- Government type—township, city, and county governments or government agencies are eligible
- Population—For townships or cities, only communities with an estimated population in 2006 greater than 600 and
less than 12,000 are eligible. Unsure if your community meets this criteria? Visit www.demography.state.mn.us/documents/MCDEST2000_2006.csv (this is a CSV file, and can be opened with Excel, Access, or most other database or spreadsheet applications).
APPLICATIONS: Applications for assistance are accepted on an ongoing basis. You are strongly encouraged to contact the U-CGO coordinator to discuss your project before applying. To apply, complete an application form and submit
- By e-mail to: cgo@umn.edu
- By U.S. mail to:
Mike Greco
U-CGO Program Coordinator
Center for Urban and Regional Affairs (CURA)
301—19th Ave. S.
330 HHH Center
Minneapolis, MN 55455
For more information, to discuss potential projects, or for assistance with applications, contact U-CGO program coordinator Mike Greco by phone at 612-625-7051 or by e-mail.
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