WMSRDC Who We Are

Est. 1970 . . . Thinking globally, acting locally, planning regionally.

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WHO WE ARE


The WMSRDC is a federal and state designated regional planning and development agency serving 127 local governments in Lake, Mason, Muskegon, Newaygo, Oceana, and northern Ottawa Counties. WMSRDC is also responsible for the management and administration of the homeland security program for the counties of Clare, Ionia, Isabella, Kent, Lake, Mason, Mecosta, Montcalm, Muskegon, Newaygo, Oceana, Osceola, and Ottawa.
Did You Know?
In 2012 Sandeep Dey, executive director of WMSRDC was elected Chair of the Executive Directors Council of the National Association of Regional Councils (NARC) which represents the nation"s regional councils and metropolitan planning organizations. Approximately 40-50 projects seeking federal funds are sent to the Commission for the Federal Project Review System each year. WMSRDC sends out an electronic WMSRDC Updates, a news and information notice, bi-monthly that is emailed to approximately 400 recipients. On average, WMSRDC completes two to three Master Plans and/or Recreation Plans for local communities per year. WMSRDC offers GIS mapping and printing services to communities in the region. In 2007, WMSRDC became the fiduciary for the Region 6 Homeland Security Planning Board. In 2012 WMSRDC became the first and only regional council in the United States to sign a contract with a dog! Yes, that is true. WMSRDC signed a contract with Environmental Canine Services (ECS) for a Muskegon Lake Watershed Project to identify problem areas of sewage leaks. In 2006, Sandeep Dey, WMSRDC Executive Director, was awarded the Johnie Rodebush Regional Leadership Award by the Michigan Association of Regions (MAR) for excellence in regional leadership in the State of Michigan. WMSRDC celebrated its 40th anniversary in the year 2010. WMSRDC publishes a bi-monthly newsletter that is mailed to over 500 recipients. The newsletter is also available on this website. In 2003, Northern Ottawa County was added to the Metroplitan Transportation Planning Program (MPO). Over 300 homes have been repaired in the region through the Regional Commission's home repair programs since the program began over 20 years ago. Annually, approximately 100 information requests are processed through the Regional Commission's West Michigan Information Center. Eighty-five percent of residents surveyed are aware of Clean Air Action Days due to the cooperative efforts of WMSRDC's Clean Air Action Program and the West Michigan Clean Air Coalition. Sandeep Dey, Executive Director of WMSRDC, was awarded the prestigious Walter Scheiber Award in June of 2003. which is presented by the National Association of Regional Councils (NARC) to an executive director for excellence in leadership and contributions to regional cooperation at the regional, state, and national level. WMSRDC continues to host a series of regional forums developed to help local communities learn more about pertinent planning and development subjects. Numerous Regional Commission programs have won various national and state awards including the It All Adds Up to Cleaner Air Door Hanger Campaign by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).