The Resource Navigator

Metropolitan Area Planning Agency (MAPA)

Metropolitan Area is a regional planning agency that provides planning and technical assistance to local government in Douglas (NE), Mills, Pottawattamie, Sarpy (NE), and Washington Counties.

About

MAPA exists to provide local governments with planning and technical support, thinking regionally and long range on the core issues that impact the vibrancy of the Greater Omaha-Council Bluffs area. MAPA was created by local governments in 1967 to serve as the regional planning agency. We serve a six-county region, including Cass, Douglas, Sarpy and Washington Counties in Nebraska, and Mills and Pottawattamie Counties in Iowa. MAPA is led by a 79-member Council of Officials, all of whom are appointed by local governments, which meets quarterly and sets policy for the agency. A nine-member Board of Directors is comprised of elected officials and meets monthly to carry out those policies and oversee agency activities.

MAPA provides a variety of services including technical assistance, grant writing, grant administration, and planning support to communities across its region. Additionally, MAPA facilitates the transportation planning process for the Omaha-Council Bluffs Metropolitan area and Regional Planning Affiliation-18. In this role MAPA works with community partners and other stakeholders to identify needs and prioritize the region\’s transportation funding. The MAPA region is recognized by the U.S. Economic Development Administration as an Economic Development District (EDD). As such, MAPA works to bring together partners from the public, private and nonprofit sectors to implement plans and strategies that aim to diversify the regional economy and strengthen areas where disinvestment has occurred. One function of the MAPA EDD is to establish a regional resiliency blueprint known as a Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS).  In this role MAPA-Nebraska Enterprise Fund (NEF) U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) provides funding for locally owned start-up businesses, as well as existing businesses seeking to expand that have been impacted by COVID-19. These businesses demonstrate the capacity to create and/or retain quality local jobs. Priority will be given to local businesses owned and operated by underserved entrepreneurs.

Services Provided

Public Policy and Government Relations

  • Business Issues Related to a Specific City
  • Community Involvement

Business Planning

  • Census Data

Marketing/Sales

  • Census Data

Networking Organizations

  • Geographically Based
  • Industry Specific

Selling to the Government and Large Corporations

  • Subcontracting Opportunities

Economic and Site Development

  • Consulting
  • Economic Forecasting
  • Environmental Compliance Assistance
  • Main Street Program Services
  • Revitalization
  • Watershed Planning

Regulatory Compliance

  • Codes
  • Government Requirements

Nonprofit Development

  • Funds Development
  • Technical Services

Internship Programs & Student Services

  • Internship Programs
Contact Information
Michael Helgerson
Address
2222 Cuming Street`
Omaha, NE 68104