Our History

What follows marks the forces that led to the formation of the NCRPC and the milestones of the organization's operational history. While not all-inclusive, it does provide a synopsis of local government's empowerment to establish a means of independently addressing and meeting community development issues and challenges.

1950s

The federal government passes the Comprehensive Planning Assistance Program, authorized by Section 701 of the Housing Act of 1954. This introduced federal funding for local planning.

1960s

Under the Johnson administration, the U.S. Department of Commerce creates the Economic Development Administration (EDA) by passage of the Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965 (Pub. L. No. 89-136). EDA initially focuses on the needs of urban areas. By 1966, national legislation made it possible for metropolitan planning agencies to review and comment on federally funded projects in their areas before final approval was given as an attempt to coordinate activities. This policy was further expanded in 1968 with the passage of the Intergovernmental Cooperative Act of 1968 (Pub. L. No. 90-577) to include non-metropolitan areas; thus, state and area-wide planning agencies were born.

Not wishing to follow the national planning policies of the 1940s, the Nixon administration in the late 1960s seeks to establish a framework for coordination among federal, state and local government in addressing issues such as housing, economic development and social services. This policy further expands the role of EDA who introduces a new service, "technical assistance" to rural areas needing expertise in marketing, grantsmanship, infrastructure development and basic business practices.

1970s

Regional planning commissions (RPCs) develop in the early 1970s across Kansas in response to state actions taken as a consequence of the federal policy just described. Kansas creates a Planning Division within the Kansas Department of Economic Development (KDED) to assist with the integration of state projects into local plans. Furthermore, on February 15, 1971, Governor Robert Docking signs an Executive Order establishing eleven (11) regions for state planning purposes. The Executive Order goes further than just outlining geographic boundaries for state activities; it adds, "...local government units are encouraged to jointly participate in regional planning and development commissions within this system of regions to enhance intergovernmental cooperation...."

• The NCRPC begins life on August 17, 1972 as representatives of eight (8) counties (Cloud, Ellsworth, Jewell, Lincoln, Mitchell, Ottawa, Republic and Saline), constituting the state's Region 10, establish a set of by-laws that puts forth the rules of the organization and its mission. Its original purpose is to become the A-95 Regional Clearinghouse and to address matters of housing and services for the aged.
• Staff is hired March 1, 1974 and the organization begins receiving HUD 701 planning funds from the Planning Division of the Kansas Department of Economic Development shortly thereafter.
• Aging services are broken away from the Regional Planning Commission in 1976 and assigned to the newly formed North Central Kansas-Flint Hills Area Agency on Aging.
• The organization adopts a controversial Land Use Plan in 1978 that engendered public discussion primarily in Cloud and Ottawa Counties.
• NCRPC duties and responsibilities grow as a result of actions taken by the member governments. By 1979 the NCRPC, by ordinance and resolution, is responsible for the coordination of "...the economic, social and physical planning and development of the region."

1980s

The 1980 Rural Development Policy formulated by the federal government recognizes the importance of planning in a "grants economy," as it had emerged during the Ford and Carter administrations, as well as the fact that a lack of planning expertise existed in the nation's rural areas. One of the by-products of this realization is the heightened promotion of EDA and the formation of more rural economic development districts.

The Reagan years that immediately follow find the federal government seeking to disengage itself from many things. The devolution of any federal role in state and local issues begins.

With the demise of federal mandates and funding sources, any state commitment to regional planning and cooperative ventures with local governments in Kansas is relegated to the departmental level. Governor Hayden passes Executive Order 88-102 on January 21, 1988, which effectively eliminates that state's one-stop clearinghouse for projects and leaves it up to the individual state-level departments to participate in cooperative planning and project review.

• The NCRPC achieves "authorized" economic development district (EDD) status in 1980, and thereby establishes a direct link with a federal agency that funds planning activities.
• Ottawa and Saline counties drop their membership with the Regional Planning Commission in 1980 in response to public outcry concerning the Land Use Plan developed in 1978; however, cities in those counties remain active. All counties, including Ottawa and Saline, continue to support the EDD. Washington County petitions to join NCRPC and is accepted.
• HUD 701 funds to support planning operations are no longer available from the state by the close of FY 1981. The state does not act to replace such funding with state sources. Agency becomes financially dependent on reserves, dues, EDA funding and fees for service. True local ownership of the organization begins.
• Cloud County drops its membership with the RPC in 1984; however, cities remain active. County continues to support the EDD.
• The NCRPC fosters the creation of Four Rivers Development, Inc., (FORDI) in 1984 as a certified development company of the U.S. Small Business Administration. Designed as an affiliate of the planning commission, FORDI is locally charged with the responsibility of working one-on-one with the area's businesses and helping them access the financing they need to establish or expand regional job opportunities.
• Cloud County rejoins RPC in 1988.

1990s

The Bush administration continues the policies of the Reagan administration. With the exception of EDA, the federal government further withdraws from funding state and local planning efforts. The advent of the Clinton administration brings new focus on planning, especially to the term "strategic planning" but few funds for regional planning efforts.

• The NCRPC is now almost wholly dependent upon reserves and fees for service. EDA support and dues remain, but constitute less than 10 percent of the total budget.
• The NCRPC establishes a regional revolving loan fund in 1990 by accessing a grant from EDA for $500,000, with $167,000 in matching funds being donated by area businesses and development groups.
• Ottawa and Saline counties rejoin in 1990. Dickinson County petitions for membership and is accepted.
• A cooperative venture that begins as a public/private partnership between a private business, The Information Age, and NCRPC creates the North Central Kansas Community Network Co. in December 1995. This company develops a Wide Area Network in the region to deliver local access to the Internet. It is financed, in part, by the Kansas Department of Commerce and Housing through application of a Comprehensive Development Grant award. KDOCH earned HUD's John J. Gunther Award in 1998 for "Best Practices" as a result of its involvement. The effort also attracted the attention of the Smithsonian Institution and with that, the NCRPC was presented a Computerworld-Smithsonian Medal in 1999 for innovative use of technology in the government category.
• Clay County petitions for membership in 1997 and is accepted, bringing the total number of counties served at the close of 1997 to eleven. Ottawa County drops out as a dues paying member of the Regional Planning Commission, but remains a supporter of the Economic Development District. The City of Minneapolis makes up the dues payment.

2000s

• Cities of Blue Rapids and Frankfort in Marshall County and Leonardville and Riley in Riley County become members and use planning services of North Central Regional Planning Commission.
• The offices are relocated to a permanent structure at 109 N. Mill in Beloit. The Salina office remains at the Chamber of Commerce Annex facility.