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Duluth, MN 55802
1-800-232-0707
ARDC'S REGIONAL PLANNING DIVISION
Regional Planning is one of four program Divisions at the Arrowhead Regional Development Commission (ARDC).

The Vision of ARDC’s Regional Planning Division is to be the “Full Service Planning Resource” for the Arrowhead Region of Minnesota. We focus on helping communities with all facets of the community planning process from comprehensive planning and zoning ordinance development to specialty planning for specific community improvements. The Division also does planning on a regional basis with the intent to improve the quality of life for all residents and the quality of experience for visitors.

Regional Planning primarily works on a fee-for-service basis, but does annually use part of the ARDC levy to leverage state and federal funds for Regional projects. Additionally, the Division has an ongoing grant programs to offset the cost of transportation planning services to local units of government. The Grant is titled the Regional Transportation In-Kind Planning Grant.

The Regional Planning Division has a staff of five Planners, a Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Specialist, and a Division Secretary.


What can the Regional Planning Division do for you?
ARDC's Regional Planning Division is here to assist local and regional governments implement their visions. The Division has a eight member team with backgrounds in land use planning and ordinance development, economic development, transportation programming, bicycle and pedestrian planning, and geographic information systems. Regional Planning has facilitated and published Comprehensive Plans, Land Use Ordinances, land exchange processes, trail system plans, road network plans, scenic byway management plans, design plans, housing assessments and more.

The Regional Planning Division upholds ARDC's mission to serve the people of the Arrowhead Region by providing local units of government and citizens groups a means to work cooperatively in identifying needs, solving problems and fostering local leadership. Whatever your needs as a government entity are, the Regional Planning Division can help. Contact Andy Hubley at 218-529-7512 to discuss the possibilities.


Programs
Transportation
The Transportation Program assists local governments to make informed investments in their transportation systems. ARDC particularly works to develop alternative and sustainable forms of transportation for pedestrians and bicyclists. The Regional Planning Division also serves as staff to the Area Transportation Partnership, the Regional Transportation Advisory Committee (RTAC), and the North Shore Scenic Drive (NSSD) Council.

Learn about ARDC's bike and ped planning projects! Click HERE.

Community Planning
ARDC works hard to help local and regional entities with improving communities. The Regional Planning Division serves as planning staff on an ongoing basis to several smaller communities that could not afford full-time planning staff on their own. ARDC also assists communities with comprehensive planning and ordinance development. The Division also has GIS staff available to assist communities with mapping and spatial analysis. ARDC is particularly interested in intergovernmental cooperation, and serves as staff to two regional entities-the North Shore Management Board and the Regional Housing Advisory Group.


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Regional Planning Division Programs
Regional Transportation Advisory Committee (RTAC)
NE MN Area Transportation Partnership (ATP)
North Shore Scenic Drive Council (NSSD)
Regional Housing Advisory Group (RHAG)
North Shore Management Board (NSMB)
SNF Scenic Byway Council
Northeast Minnesota Economic Development District
Northern Aero Alliance

Current Drafts Available for Comments


Regional Planning Staff
Please click here to see a list of Division staff members.


RTAC In-Kind Transportation Planning Grant
The RTAC In-Kind Transportation Planning Grant will give a community up to $10,000 worth of ARDC planning services to do transportation planning....more


ARDC Phone & Email Directory
Click Here


ARDC Directions
Click Here


Regional Planning Meeting Calendar
Click here to see Regional Planning's meeting schedule.


Recently Completed Regional Planning Projects
To download recently completed documents click HERE.


Current Regional Planning Projects
Click on a project link below to see project summaries, upcoming or past meeting information, and draft documents.

Economic Development

Northeast Minnesota Economic Development District

Regional and Local Land Use Projects

Babbitt Comprehensive Plan

Bigfork Comprehensive Plan

Hermantown Planning and Zoning Assessment

Orr Planning

SHIP Active Communities Technical Assistance

Scanlon Comprehensive Plan Update

Ongoing Community Planning

Two Harbors

Regional and Local Transportation Projects

Beaver Bay Trailhead Development

Bois Forte Transit Plan

Cloquet Safe Routes to School

Grand Rapids Safe Routes to School

HelmetHero - Bicycle Education

Lake County Trails Comprehensive Plan

Lake Vermilion Trail Plan

McGregor Safe Routes to School

Temperance River Design Project

Two Harbors Safe Routes to School

Waters of the Dancing Sky Scenic Byway Corridor Management Plan

GIS Projects

Beaver Bay Parcels

Laurentian GIS Collaborative

Energy Projects

Duluth Community-wide Local Energy Action Plan (LEAP)