We have been creating economy overviews for all ten of our counties along with Centergy and Grow North regions. We have reports from 2018 to 2024 – More information is about EMSI reports HERE. We also have historic reports back to 2013 if you are intrerested.
Portage County Outdoor Recreation Plan 2025-2029
Portage County’s Parks Department updates its Outdoor Recreation Plan every 5 years to identify essential outdoor recreation needs that affect the future of outdoor recreation in the County.
This Outdoor Recreation Plan (ORP) focuses upon County managed outdoor recreation facilities, and also list projects within the towns and villages. The City of Stevens Point and Village of Plover both have ORPs which will both be referenced in this plan. All listed nature based and active recreation based projects become eligible for competitive federal and state outdoor recreation grant money when this plan is adopted by County or local municipality by resolution.
All communities that want to use this plan to apply for grants, must adopt it by resolution.
Non-profit groups, foundations, and the general public may also use this document to coordinate their own private efforts for developing outdoor recreation facilities.
2024 Planning Timeline
Winter/Spring 2024 – Staff park analysis, plans reviewed, & demographic data analysis.
Spring 2024 – Survey received 182 responses. See Summary Results HERE (21 pages).
See Detailed Results HERE (127 pages).
Summer 2024 – Goals & Objectives developed.
Summer/Fall 2024 – Draft Plan ready for review.
Fall/Winter 2024 – Plan ready for approval by Committee and adoption by County Board.
Portage County Comprehensive Plan 2024
A comprehensive plan is a local government’s guide to community physical, social, and
economic development. Comprehensive plans are not meant to serve as land use
regulations in themselves; instead, they provide a rational basis for local land use
decisions with a twenty-year horizon for future planning and community decisions.
![](https://www.ncwrpc.org/wp-content/uploads/Cover-photo-Portage-Co-Comp.jpg)
Portage County Broadband Plan
The broadband strategy presented at narrowing the digital divide in Portage County by enhancing broadband connectivity and accessibility. Additionally, this strategy will pinpoint obstacles and objectives related to expanding infrastructure and promoting broadband adoption. Consequently, Portage County will be in a stronger position to seek and, hopefully, secure BEAD funding for broadband deployment.
![](https://www.ncwrpc.org/wp-content/uploads/Portage-Broadband-Final-050624r-791x1024.jpg)
Portage County Economic Profile 2024
Every few years, NCWRPC updates basic demographic and economic development information in the form of County Profiles, which provide a snapshot of current economic trends and opportunities for economic growth. Included is a map of business park locations where acreage is available as well as contacts for various economic development agencies and programs.
Stevens Point Urban Area Sewer Service Area Plan 2040 Update
This report is intended to update and replace the previous, Urban Area Sewer Service Plan for the City of Stevens Point and surrounding urban area. These types of plans are also known as areawide water quality management plans.
The general purpose of this areawide water quality management plan, herein referred to as Sewer Service Area Plan, is to maintain a twenty-year sanitary sewer service boundary for the Stevens Point Urban Area and an institutional structure for implementing the Plan and managing the extension of sanitary sewage services within this urban area. The urban sanitary sewer service area boundary identifies the geographic land area within which sanitary sewer service could be made available by the year 2040 in a cost effective, environmentally acceptable manner.
![](https://www.ncwrpc.org/wp-content/uploads/StevensPoint-SSA-Version2-draft-r.jpg)
Portage County Economic Profile 2022
Every few years, NCWRPC updates basic demographic and economic development information in the form of County Profiles, which provide a snapshot of current economic trends and opportunities for economic growth. Included is a map of business park locations where acreage is available as well as contacts for various economic development agencies and programs.
Wisconsin Regional Orthoimagery Consortium (WROC)
The Wisconsin Regional Orthoimagery Consortium (WROC) is a multi-entity group. The goal of the consortium is to build and sustain a multi-participant program to acquire digital orthoimagery and elevation data throughout Wisconsin. The WROC approach brings a number of potential benefits to participants including cost savings, specifications and standards support, customized datasets, data sharing between members and partners, and procurement support.
Next round
The next round of WROC is underway. North Central Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission (NCWRPC) will once again coordinate and lead the Consortium. In 2021, the RPC extended its agreement with Ayres Associates to facilitate the Consortium and provide geospatial services to its members and partners.
There will be options for participation in 2023, 2024, and 2025. A number of member counties will be going to a 3-year cycle starting in 2023. Another group of counties will fly in 2024.The largest group will participate again in 2025, keeping the consistency of the 5-year cycle. Member counties flying in 2023, 2024, and 2025 will be eligible for partner funding.
The aerial mapping services provided under WROC will continue to evolve to meet the needs of local government members and partner organizations. This will be achieved through a coordinated, county-by-county approach over the next three years, with participation peaking in 2025. Program representatives will work with all private, federal, and state partners to build the program into regional datasets. WROC has a stated goal of achieving statewide coverage by the end of 2025.
WROC representatives will be hosting meetings across the state to discuss the consortium approach and participation options for 2023-25. If you are interested in meeting, please contact program managers Andy Faust or Zach Nienow
Portage County
![](https://www.ncwrpc.org/wp-content/uploads/logo_Portage.png)
Portage County is a county located in central Wisconsin. As of the 2020 census, the population was 70,377. The county seat is Stevens Point. Portage County was created in 1839 and is named after the Fox-Wisconsin Waterway, a historic portage route used by Native Americans and European settlers. The county is known for its many lakes, rivers, and outdoor recreational opportunities, including the Tomorrow River State Trail, the Wisconsin River and the Ice Age Trail. The county is home to the city of Stevens Point, which is the county’s largest city and the regional center for commerce, industry, healthcare, and education. The county also has several small towns and communities, including Plover, Rosholt, and Amherst. The county has a diverse economy, with healthcare, manufacturing, and service industries being the main drivers.
Title | Date |
---|---|
EMSI Reports – Economy Overview | July 17, 2024 |
Portage County Outdoor Recreation Plan 2025-2029 | April 2, 2024 |
Portage County Comprehensive Plan 2024 | March 28, 2024 |
Portage County Broadband Plan | February 27, 2024 |
Portage County Economic Profile 2024 | January 22, 2024 |
Stevens Point Urban Area Sewer Service Area Plan 2040 Update | July 13, 2023 |
Portage County Economic Profile 2022 | January 1, 2022 |
Portage County Locally Developed, Coordinated Public Transit-Human Service Transportation Plan 2019-2023 | August 31, 2018 |
Portage County Locally Developed, Coordinated Public Transit-Human Service Transportation Plan 2014-2018 | July 11, 2013 |
Almond-Bancroft Safe Routes to School Plan 2012-2017 | April 1, 2012 |
NEWCOM
The counties of northeastern Wisconsin have a long history of working cooperatively to address the public safety needs of the area. This latest effort, called the North East Wisconsin Public Safety COMmunications or NEWCOM, will create a group that will identify the communication needs for the area, so the 500 plus law enforcement and public safety organizations can communicate effectively throughout the Region.
The group formed under Intergovernmental Agreement §66.0301, Wis. Stats in 2006
Meetings 2024
February 1st
May 23rd – Merrill – NEWCOM Mobile Communication Event
August 1st
November 7th
Sherri Congleton | Vilas County | Chair |
Ryan Berdal | Marathon County | Vice-Chair |
Rozanne Kahan | Price County | Secretary- Treasurer |
Andy Faust | NCWRPC | NEWCOM Contact |