News and Press Releases - 2006

Business, Transportation & Housing Agency Secretary Sunne Wright McPeak Awards $5 Million in Regional Blueprint Planning Grants

Sacramento, CA - Business, Transportation & Housing Agency Secretary Sunne Wright McPeak today announced the award of $5 million through the Regional Blueprint Planning Program to local Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs). The grants will assist in developing long term "blueprint" plans to accommodate for regional changes in California's urban areas, including population growth, changing demographics, economic variations and environmental concerns.

"Gov. Schwarzenegger has highlighted the serious need for appropriate state-wide planning by bringing forth the Strategic Growth Plan," said McPeak. "These Blueprint Grants will help to provide a similar vision on a regional level so that urban areas can adequately prepare for the increased demand upon infrastructure and services in the future."

The $5 million in funding for regional blueprint planning was made available through the Governor's Budget for Fiscal Year 2005-2006. The Regional Blueprint Planning Program grants support the efforts of California MPOs to conduct comprehensive scenario planning that results in consensus by regional leaders, local governments and stakeholders on a preferred growth scenario - or "blueprint" - for a 20 year planning horizon (through 2025).

"Demands upon existing infrastructure will be overwhelming in the coming years if we do not properly prepare and move forward with an organized approach," said McPeak. "These Regional Blueprint grants will provide MPOs with the tools to provide for a robust and vital California through consideration of the challenges that growing regions with limited resources will face in the future."

Seven Regional Blueprint Planning Program grants are being awarded for Fiscal Year 2005-2006:

1. San Joaquin Valley (SJV) includes eight Valley MPOs: $2,000,000
   Merced County Association of Governments, Council of Fresno County Governments, Kern Council of Governments, Kings County Association of Governments, Madera County Transportation Commission, San Joaquin Council of Governments, Stanislaus Council of Governments, Tulare County Association of Governments
2. Butte County Association of Governments (BCAG): $185,500
3. Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG): $1,258,450
   Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority, Ventura County Transportation Commission, Orange County Transportation Authority, San Bernardino County Transportation Commission, Riverside County Transportation Commission, Imperial Valley Association of Governments
4. Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) / Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG): $500,000
   Alameda County Congestion Management, Contra Costa Transportation Authority, Marin County Public Works Agency, Napa County Transportation Planning Agency, San Francisco Transportation Authority, San Mateo County Association of Governments, Santa Clara County Transportation Authority, Solano County Transportation Authority, Sonoma County Transportation Authority
5. Sacramento Area Council of Governments (SACOG): $420,000
   Sacramento County, Yolo County Transportation District, Sutter County, Yuba County, El Dorado County Transportation Commission, Placer County Transportation Planning Agency
6. San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG): $409,750
7. San Luis Obispo Council of Governments (SLOCOG): $226,800