During the 2021–2022 academic year, RCP is partnering with 12 cities, counties, and local-government–serving organizations on 15 projects through Standard RCP Partnerships and Comprehensive Plan Implementation Partnerships.
Does your local government agency have a project idea to build community resilience that could benefit from research or technical assistance? It's not too late to apply for an RCP Partnership!
Standard RCP Partnerships
RCP is working with Towerside Innovation District, Hennepin County Elections, the Minnesota State Fire Chiefs Association, the UMN American Indian Tribal Nations Relations Office, and SouthWest Transit on six projects to advance community sustainability, equity, and resilience. You can learn more about the projects below.
If your local government agency has a project idea to build community resilience that could benefit from research or technical assistance, consider applying for an RCP Partnership today!
Towerside Innovation District: Building Equity and Economics for a Resilient Towerside

Project Goal: Identify how Towerside can align with potential industry and partners’ goals to guide future strategic planning and attract further investment. (Project Brief)
Partner: Towerside Innovation District
Project Lead: Sabina Saksena, Board Director, Towerside Innovation District
Course Matches:
PA 5211 Land Use Planning (Fall 2021) | Final Report > (coming soon)
PA 8081: Urban Planning Capstone (Spring 2022) | Final Report > (coming soon)
Hennepin County: Preparing for the Future of Elections

Project Goal: Analyze voting behavior and the potential impact the 2020 election will have on future voting trends. (Project Brief)
Partner: Hennepin County Elections
Project Lead: Nimisha Nagalia, Elections Administrator, Hennepin County
Course Matches:
IE 5801: Industrial and Systems Engineering Capstone Project (Fall 2021) | Final Report (unavailable) | Presentation > (video)
PA 5190: Designing Change for the Public Sector (Spring 2022) | Final Report > (coming soon)
Minnesota State Fire Chiefs Association: Improving Emergency Medical Services in Minnesota

Project Goal: To analyze policy in order to support policy changes to improve emergency medical services in Minnesota. (Project Brief)
Partner: Minnesota State Fire Chiefs Association (MSFCA)
Project Lead: BJ Jungmann, Legislative Chair, Minnesota State Fire Chiefs Association
Course Matches:
LAW 7606 Independent Research (Spring 2021) | Final Report | Final Presentation (video)
PA 8081 Public Affairs Capstone (Summer 2021) | Final Report | Final Presentation (video)
UMN American Indian Tribal Nations Relations Office: Towards Recognition and University-Tribal Healing (TRUTH)—A Strategic Analysis of the Morrill Land Grab in Minnesota

Project Goal: To provide an economic analysis of lands that were not willingly ceded under the Morrill Act. (Project Brief)
Partner: University of Minnesota American Indian Tribal Nations Relations
Project Lead: Tadd Johnson, Esq., Senior Director of American Indian Tribal Nations Relations, University of Minnesota
Course Matches:
RCP Fellows Team (Fall 2021) | Final Report > (coming soon) | Final Presentation > (video)
PA 8081: Urban Planning Capstone (Spring 2022) | Final Report > (coming soon) | Final Presentation > (video)
SouthWest Transit: Understanding the History and Evolution of Transit System Governance in the Twin Cities Region

Project Goal: To provide current and future stakeholders with key information related to the timeline and history of transit governance in the Twin Cities region. (Project Brief)
Partner: SouthWest Transit
Project Lead: Matt Fyten, Chief Operations Officer, SouthWest Transit
Course Matches:
PA 5232: Transportation Policy, Planning and Deployment (Fall 2021) | Final Report > (coming soon) | Final Presentation > (video)
PA 8991: Transportation Policy Independent Study (Spring 2022) | Final Report > (coming soon) | Final Presentation > (video)
SouthWest Transit: Assessing the Effectiveness of Transit System Governance Policy and Planning in the Twin Cities Region

Project Goal: To assess the effectiveness of transit system governance and planning in the Twin Cities region. (Project Brief)
Partner: SouthWest Transit
Project Lead: Matt Fyten, Chief Operations Officer, SouthWest Transit
Course Matches:
PA 5232: Transportation Policy, Planning and Deployment (Fall 2021) | Final Report > (coming soon) | Final Presentation > (video)
PA 8991: Transportation Policy Independent Study (Spring 2022) | Final Report > (coming soon) | Final Presentation > (video)
Comprehensive Plan Implementation Partnerships
Comprehensive Plan Implementation Partnerships

In collaboration with the Metropolitan Council, RCP is partnering with Washington County, Edina, Maplewood, and Little Canada on six projects that seek to enhance community resilience, advance equity, and implement one or more elements of a locally adopted comprehensive plan.