This document discusses the history and roles of Regional Development Organizations (RDOs) in Minnesota and their relationship with MnDOT (Minnesota Department of Transportation). RDOs were established in 1969 and work on transportation, economic development, and planning issues. MnDOT has provided them grants since the late 1970s. RDOs provide local expertise to MnDOT. Their work includes regional transportation planning, project selection for funding programs, and involvement in various MnDOT committees. Upcoming changes from MAP-21 may impact their roles, but MnDOT values their partnership with RDOs.

1. MnDOT and Minnesota Regional
Development Organizations

2. History of RDOs and Relationship
with MnDOT
 Established in 1969
 Involved in
transportation, economic
development, land use
planning and more
 MnDOT has provided grants
since the late 1970s
 RDOs provide local
knowledge and expertise to
MnDOT

3. Work Program Overview
 Work Program Activities
 Statewide projects
 ATIP development
 Regional planning
activities
 Maintenance of the
functional
classification system
 Transportation related
communication
 Transportation
Planners meetings
 Secondary activities

4. ATP Process
 Established by MnDOT in
response to ISTEA (1991)
 Increased funding and flexibility
in the use of funds
 Emphasis on multimodal system
 Greater local involvement and
public participation
 ATPs provide local representation
 Role in selecting projects for ATIP
 Everyone handles it
differently, but there is a local
presence
 One size does not fit all

5. Other Contracts with MnDOT
 Transit Local Coordination Plan/Updates
 Safe Routes To School Planning Grants
Potential Contracts with MnDOT
 ADA Compliance Plans
 Mileage Verification Process
 Statewide Functional Classification Review

6. Other Involvement with MnDOT
 RDC Representation on
Statewide Committees
 Minnesota GO
 MnSHIP PAC
 Statewide SRTS Steering
Committee
 Planning and Programming
Workgroup
Committee/MAP-21
 Transportation Alternatives
Program Sub-Group
 Toward Zero Deaths

7. Impacts of MAP-21
 There will be changes to how
we do things
 Don’t yet know what those
changes will be
 One thing is for certain –
MnDOT values the relationship
with the RDOs

8. Contact Information
 Katie Caskey – MnDOT | kathryn.caskey@state.mn.us | 651.366.3901
 Ronda Allis – Region Nine Development Commission | ronda@rndc.org |
507.387.5643
 Jake Huebsch – Region Five Development Commission |
jhuebsch@regionfive.org | 218.894.3233 x4
 Lindsey Knutson – Upper Minnesota Valley Regional Development
Commission | lindsey.knutson@umvrdc.org | 320. 289.1981 x7