Thought Leadership

Preparing for Future Growth: Using the Comprehensive Plan to Turn Community Vision into Strategic Action

September 11, 2026

By Lori Johnson, Senior Professional Community Planner I, WSB

A comprehensive plan helps a community anticipate growth instead of reacting to it.

It connects long-term vision with land use, infrastructure, housing, transportation, economic development, parks, facilities, and implementation.

A strong comprehensive plan is more than a required process. It turns a community’s vision into locally grounded decisions about growth, investment, infrastructure, housing, mobility, natural resources, economic development, and community character, while accounting for applicable state and regional frameworks.

Turn the Local Vision into Strategic Action

The planning process should begin with the community’s goals, desired growth pattern, and long term priorities. State, county, watershed, transportation, utility, and regional guidance can help inform decision making, but the plan’s central purpose remains translating local values into clear direction for growth and public investment.

Communities must connect local goals with land use, infrastructure, housing, mobility, economic development, and implementation. The plan should show where growth can be supported, which investments and regulatory changes are needed, and how coordinated policies can advance community defined outcomes.

1. Build a Community-Driven Vision for Growth

Ongoing engagement with residents, businesses, property owners, organizations, and officials helps define where change is appropriate, what growth should look like, and which community qualities should be protected.

• Use varied participation methods and remove barriers so more voices shape the plan.
• Use maps, scenarios, visuals, and plain language to explain choices and tradeoffs.
• Report what was heard and show how input shaped goals, policies, and priorities.

2. Identify Where and How Growth Should Occur

The future land use plan identifies growth areas, redevelopment opportunities, preservation priorities, and appropriate patterns for housing, employment, services, mixed-use centers, natural resources, and facilities.

• Where should new development, infill, redevelopment, and preservation occur?
• What uses, densities, intensities, and community qualities are appropriate in each area?
• What infrastructure, services, and phased investments are needed to support growth responsibly?

3. Bring WSB Disciplines Together Around One Growth Strategy

Comprehensive planning works best as an integrated process. WSB can align planning, engineering, transportation, water resources, environmental, parks, landscape architecture, engagement, economic development, redevelopment, funding, and development services around shared growth assumptions and priorities.

• Planning and engagement connect vision, land use, housing, and policy.
• Engineering, transportation, water, environmental, parks, and landscape specialists test capacity, access, resilience, and place quality.
• Economic development, redevelopment, funding, and development services position priority areas for investment.

4. Align Regulations and Development Processes with the Plan

After adoption, communities should align zoning, subdivision regulations, development standards, and review procedures with the plan’s intended development pattern and implementation priorities.

• Districts do not allow planned uses, densities, forms, or mixed-use patterns.
• Standards or procedures inhibit infill, redevelopment, housing choice, predictability, or current goals.
• New tools are needed for overlays, planned development, form-based design, or flexible redevelopment.

5. Use Economic Development Tools to Advance Priority Growth Areas

By identifying priority sites, infrastructure needs, market opportunities, and desired outcomes, the plan helps a community focus resources, guide private investment, and communicate where it is prepared to partner.

• Local incentives, grants, infrastructure funding, cleanup resources, and loan programs.
• Land assembly, site preparation, redevelopment authority, partnerships, and development agreements.
• Business retention, workforce partnerships, targeted industries, marketing, and site-readiness guidance.

6. Create an Actionable Roadmap

The plan should end with a realistic implementation program that sequences actions, assigns responsibility, connects funding and capital investment, and measures progress.

• Prioritize near-, mid-, and long-term actions by urgency, resources, and readiness.
• Assign responsibilities and link growth areas to capital plans, infrastructure, ordinances, funding, and development initiatives.
• Establish milestones, monitor progress, and update the program as conditions change.

From vision to investment

Future-ready planning requires community ownership, coordinated analysis, aligned regulations, strategic investment, and practical implementation. WSB brings these elements together so the comprehensive plan becomes a durable framework for sustainable growth and long-term success.

Floodplain Buyouts: A Proactive Approach to Community Resilience

September 11, 2026

By Allison Whitsitt, Director of Emergency Management and Audrey Fincannon, Area Manager, ROW, WSB

Flooding continues to impact communities across the country, causing repeated property damage, straining local resources, and increasing recovery costs. For cities and counties facing recurring flood events, voluntary buyout programs can provide a long-term solution that reduces risk while improving community resilience. These programs allow property owners in high-risk flood areas to relocate to safer locations, helping communities protect residents, reduce future flood losses, and support long term planning efforts.

While buyout programs are often misunderstood, they are designed to benefit both property owners and communities. Participating property owners receive fair market value for their property and, in some cases, additional relocation assistance through available funding programs. Once acquired, properties are removed from the floodplain and converted into permanent open space, creating opportunities for parks, trails, green space, and other community amenities that are less vulnerable to future flooding. This approach not only reduces future flood damage but also creates lasting value for the community.

One of the greatest challenges communities face is finding the funding and staff capacity needed to move a buyout program forward. Significant grant funding is available through federal and state programs, but navigating eligibility requirements, application processes, matching fund requirements, and compliance obligations can be overwhelming. Many communities simply do not have the time or resources to manage these efforts internally, resulting in valuable funding being left on the table. Developing a strategy before the next flood event can help communities position themselves to secure funding and advance projects when opportunities arise.

WSB helps communities navigate these complexities from start to finish. We begin by evaluating flood risks, identifying available funding sources, and developing a strategy that aligns with community goals and priorities. From there, our multidisciplinary team supports grant applications, community engagement, property acquisition and relocation services, engineering analysis, and program implementation. By bringing these services together under one team, we help reduce the burden on community staff, simplify complex requirements, and keep projects moving forward from planning through completion.

Floodplain buyouts are about more than reducing flood risk. They are an opportunity to protect residents, lower long term costs, and create meaningful community assets for future generations. WSB partners with cities and counties to evaluate options, secure funding, and implement practical solutions that transform flood prone areas into safer, more resilient spaces. Whether a community is exploring buyouts for the first time or planning its next flood mitigation initiative, WSB provides the expertise and support needed to move from planning to successful implementation. Contact WSB to learn how to develop a buyout program that reduces risk, secures funding, and strengthens your community’s resilience.

Aging Infrastructure: Making Every Capital Dollar Count

September 8, 2026

By Eric Eckman, Senior Project Manager I, WSB

From roads and bridges to water and sewer systems, cities and counties are managing an increasing number of aging assets while facing growing demands on limited capital budgets. At the same time, community expectations for safety, reliability, and resilience continue to increase. The challenge facing local agencies is not simply identifying infrastructure that needs attention. The real challenge is determining which investments will deliver the greatest benefit when capital dollars are limited. Successfully addressing this challenge requires an approach that balances infrastructure condition, risk, public safety, service reliability, and long-term financial sustainability.

Effective capital planning begins with understanding the current state of infrastructure and how assets perform over time. Engineering assessments, asset inventories, condition ratings, and lifecycle analysis provide the information needed to make informed investment decisions. Rather than relying on condition alone, leading agencies evaluate infrastructure through a broader lens that includes risk, criticality, public safety, and service reliability. By evaluating both the likelihood of failure and the consequences of failure, communities can identify which assets present the greatest operational, financial, and public safety risks and prioritize funding where it will have the greatest impact.

There is no one size fits all solution to prioritize capital investments. Every community faces different challenges, funding constraints, and infrastructure needs. When evaluating projects, agencies should consider asset conditions, criticality, regulatory requirements, available funding opportunities, future growth, and community goals. Value engineering, constructability reviews, and strategic planning can help identify cost saving opportunities, improve project feasibility, and maximize available resources. Taking a comprehensive approach to project selection allows communities to make informed decisions and address infrastructure needs before they become larger, more costly challenges.

As communities work to stretch limited budgets, it is important to carefully evaluate rehabilitation and replacement options. In some cases, targeted improvements can extend an asset’s useful life and defer major expenditures. In others, replacement may provide greater long-term value by reducing maintenance costs, improving reliability, and supporting regulatory compliance. Lifecycle cost analysis helps agencies compare alternatives based on long-term performance rather than upfront construction costs alone, ensuring investments support both current needs and future infrastructure demands.

WSB partners with cities and counties to develop practical, data driven strategies for managing aging infrastructure and maximizing the value of every capital dollar. Our team helps clients assess infrastructure conditions, establish asset management programs, evaluate system vulnerabilities, develop capital improvement plans, perform lifecycle modeling, and identify funding opportunities that support long-term success. By combining engineering expertise, advanced technology, and strategic planning, WSB helps communities prioritize investments, strengthen infrastructure performance, and support long-term financial sustainability. Contact WSB to learn how a proactive approach to asset management and capital planning can help your community make informed investment decisions and maximize the impact of every infrastructure dollar.

Water Resilience: Building Communities Prepared for a Changing Environment

September 2, 2026

By Jesse Penn, Senior Director, W/WW & Water Resources, WSB

Water has always been essential to community growth, but today’s challenges are reshaping how cities and counties approach water management. Across the country, extreme heat and drought are placing greater demands on drinking water supplies, while severe storms and flooding are testing the capacity of aging infrastructure. These changing conditions are reinforcing the need for resilient water systems that not only meet today’s demands but also prepare communities for future uncertainty. Successfully addressing these challenges requires a comprehensive approach that considers water supply, wastewater, and stormwater as interconnected parts of the same system.

Effective water management begins with understanding how water moves through a community and how infrastructure performs under both everyday conditions and extreme events. Engineers work closely with public works departments, utility operators, planners, and community leaders to evaluate existing systems, identify risks, and develop long term strategies. By assessing infrastructure conditions, operational demands, regulatory requirements, and future growth projections, communities can make informed decisions that support reliability, sustainability, and responsible investment.

As communities seek to strengthen resilience, a variety of solutions can help address water related challenges. Water conservation programs, leak detection efforts, water audits, pressure management, and water reuse initiatives can help maximize available resources during periods of drought and high demand. At the same time, stormwater solutions such as storm ponds, drainage improvements, underground storage systems, and permeable pavement can help reduce flood risk, improve water quality, and protect critical infrastructure during increasingly intense rainfall events. Taking a proactive approach allows communities to address challenges before they become emergencies, reducing long term costs while improving system performance and reliability.

There is no one size fits all solution to water resilience. Every community faces different challenges, priorities, and resource constraints. When evaluating potential solutions, it is important to consider infrastructure age and condition, maintenance requirements, available funding, future development, regulatory obligations, and the potential impacts of changing weather patterns. A valuable first step is understanding how existing systems will perform under future conditions, allowing communities to identify vulnerabilities, prioritize investments, and proactively address issues before they become costly emergencies. The most successful strategies balance immediate needs with long term goals, ensuring infrastructure investments deliver lasting value for residents and taxpayers alike.

WSB partners with cities, counties, and utility providers to develop practical, forward thinking water infrastructure solutions. Our team evaluates system performance, identifies opportunities for improvement, and helps communities plan for both immediate needs and long term growth. We also help communities navigate local development processes and assess project impacts, supporting informed decision making, operational effectiveness, and the responsible use of public dollars. From water supply and wastewater systems to stormwater management and flood mitigation, WSB delivers engineering solutions that strengthen infrastructure, protect public investments, and help communities become more resilient in an ever changing environment.

FHWA PROTECT Grant Funding Is Back: What Communities Need to Know 

August 31, 2026

By Amber Adams, Grants & Funding Program Manager, WSB

Transportation networks are increasingly being challenged by flooding, extreme weather, heat events and other natural hazards. As communities plan for the future, resiliency is becoming an essential part of transportation investment decisions. 

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has reopened the Promoting Resilient Operations for Transformative, Efficient, and Cost-Saving Transportation (PROTECT) Program, creating a significant opportunity for states, local governments, MPOs, Tribal nations, transit agencies and port authorities to pursue funding for resilience-focused transportation projects. The current Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) makes up to $787 million available through the program. 

What Is the PROTECT Program? 

The PROTECT Competitive Grant Program provides funding through four distinct categories: 

• Planning Grants for resilience planning, vulnerability assessments, evacuation planning, resilience improvement plans, and data tools. 

• Resilience Improvement Grants for projects that improve the resilience and reliability of transportation infrastructure. 

• Community Resilience & Evacuation Route Grants for projects that strengthen emergency access and evacuation capabilities. 

• At-Risk Coastal Infrastructure Grants for vulnerable transportation assets located in coastal communities. 

Together, these funding categories support projects that help transportation systems withstand, respond to, and recover from natural hazards and extreme weather events. 

Funding may support projects that: 

• Improve transportation system resilience 

• Address vulnerabilities related to flooding, extreme weather and climate impacts 

• Strengthen evacuation routes and emergency access 

• Protect critical transportation assets 

• Support resilience planning and implementation efforts 

The goal is to help communities proactively reduce risk and improve recovery capabilities before disruptions occur. 

Why This Matters Now 

The strongest funding pursuits often begin before an application is assembled. 

Communities that have already identified infrastructure vulnerabilities, resilience priorities and long-term transportation goals are often better positioned to develop projects aligned with funding opportunities. Whether addressing roadway flooding, bridge resiliency, emergency access, asset management or network reliability, early coordination can help agencies understand potential pathways forward. 

Start Conversations Early 

With the program open again, now is the time for transportation agencies and community leaders to evaluate potential projects and determine where resilience investments may align with local priorities. 

Communities interested in pursuing PROTECT funding should review the current NOFO and begin identifying opportunities that strengthen transportation systems while supporting long-term resilience goals. 

Need help evaluating a potential PROTECT project?  

WSB’s transportation, resilience, planning, engineering, environmental, emergency management, and grants professionals can help communities: 

• Evaluate project eligibility 

• Identify the most appropriate funding category 

• Conduct vulnerability and resilience assessments 

• Develop benefit-cost analyses 

• Advance planning and project development efforts 

Position projects for a competitive application 

National Emergency Management Awareness Month

August 11, 2026

By Sara Thomas, Hazard Mitigation Planner, WSB

August is National Emergency Management Awareness Month, a time to recognize the professionals, organizations, and community partners who help communities prepare for, respond to, and recover from emergencies and disasters. 

What is Emergency Management? 

Emergency management is the coordinated effort to prepare for, respond to, recover from, and reduce the impacts of disasters and emergencies. It brings together local governments, public safety agencies, schools, healthcare providers, businesses, and residents to help communities stay safe and resilient. 

Through planning, training, risk assessments, public education, and partnership building, emergency management helps communities identify potential hazards and prepare for a wide range of incidents, from severe weather and natural disasters to public health emergencies and infrastructure disruptions. The goal is to protect lives, property, and critical services before, during, and after a crisis. 

At its core, emergency management is about being proactive rather than reactive. By investing in preparedness and resilience, communities can reduce risk, respond more effectively when emergencies occur, and recover more quickly afterward. 

How WSB Can Help 

WSB partners with communities to strengthen preparedness, resilience, and recovery through emergency management planning, training, exercises, and grant support. Our team works alongside local agencies and stakeholders to identify risks, enhance coordination, develop response and continuity plans, and navigate recovery efforts when disasters occur. Together, we help communities build the confidence and capabilities needed to face today’s challenges and prepare for tomorrow’s uncertainties. 

Landscape Architecture: Where Engineering, Community, and Sustainability Meet

August 5, 2026

By Jason Amberg, Director, Landscape Architecture, WSB

Landscape architecture is far more than the design of parks and green spaces. It is a critical discipline that shapes how communities function, grow, and thrive. For cities and counties, landscape architecture serves as the design framework that integrates infrastructure, engineering, environmental stewardship, and community development into a cohesive vision. When incorporated from the outset of a project, landscape architecture guides decision-making, enhances resilience, and creates lasting public spaces that are functional, sustainable, and responsive to the needs of residents for generations.

Successful landscape architecture begins with understanding how people and infrastructure interact with the natural environment. By working closely with engineers, planners, and community stakeholders, landscape architects help address challenges such as stormwater management, erosion control, accessibility, and long-term maintenance. Site conditions, including topography, drainage patterns, soils, and vegetation, all play a role in shaping solutions that balance performance with aesthetics.

As communities face growing environmental challenges, landscape architecture is playing an increasingly important role in resilience and sustainability efforts. Green infrastructure, native plantings, urban tree canopies, and restored natural areas help manage stormwater, improve water quality, reduce heat impacts, and support local ecosystems. At the same time, parks, trails, streetscapes, and public gathering spaces promote physical activity, social interaction, and overall community well-being, transforming infrastructure investments into lasting community assets.

Technology is also helping communities make smarter decisions about outdoor spaces. Data-driven design tools can evaluate long term performance, maintenance needs, water use, and environmental impacts before construction begins. This approach helps maximize public investments while creating spaces that are adaptable, efficient, and responsive to future needs.

WSB partners with cities, counties, and state agencies to plan, design, and create outdoor environments that strengthen communities and enhance everyday experiences. Our landscape architects lead the vision for parks, trails, streetscapes, waterfronts, public gathering spaces, and mixed-use developments, integrating community goals, environmental stewardship, mobility, and placemaking into every project. Working collaboratively with engineers, planners, public officials, and stakeholders, we deliver solutions that balance technical performance with exceptional user experience. Through thoughtful design and strategic planning, WSB creates resilient, sustainable places that improve quality of life and foster vibrant communities where people want to live, work, and visit.

What Keeps Public Works Directors Up at Night

August 3, 2026

By Eric Dargan, Director of Municipal Strategy, WSB

Public Works Directors are under increasing pressure to do more with less, or more with no more, maintaining infrastructure, supporting growing communities, and meeting rising expectations with limited resources. These challenges are familiar, including staffing shortages, limited funding, aging assets, and rising resident expectations, but the path forward is becoming clearer. Communities that are succeeding are not just reacting to these issues; they’re adopting integrated, practical solutions that strengthen operations today while preparing for the future.

Staffing shortages continue to impact daily operations and long-term planning. Many agencies are struggling to replace retiring staff and compete for talent. To address this, organizations are thinking beyond traditional hiring by:

• Leveraging staff augmentation to fill immediate gaps with experienced professionals
• Building partnerships with consultants to extend internal capacity
• Implementing processes and technology that reduce manual workload

This approach allows teams to stay productive without overextending existing staff, while maintaining continuity on critical projects.

Infrastructure funding remains a persistent challenge, especially as project costs rise and funding sources become more competitive. Communities are finding success by taking a more strategic approach to funding, including:

• Proactively identifying and pursuing grant and funding opportunities
• Aligning capital improvement plans with funding eligibility requirements
• Using data to clearly communicate needs and justify investments

With the right strategy, funding becomes less reactive and more predictable, helping agencies move important projects forward with confidence.

At the same time, managing aging assets requires a shift from reactive maintenance to proactive planning. Many municipalities are adopting asset management systems that provide visibility into infrastructure condition, lifecycle, and risk. This enables better prioritization and smarter budgeting. Instead of responding to failures, Public Works teams can anticipate needs, extend asset life, and reduce long-term costs.

Finally, resident expectations are higher than ever. Communities expect transparency, responsiveness, and clear communication about how decisions are made. Leading agencies are prioritizing public engagement strategies that keep residents informed and involved whether through digital tools, community outreach, or clear project communication. When residents understand the value of infrastructure investments, trust grows and support follows.

The most effective solutions bring all these elements together combining people, funding, technology, and communication into a cohesive strategy. That’s where WSB provides real value. WSB supports cities and counties with:

• Staff augmentation to strengthen teams and maintain project momentum
• Grant and funding assistance to secure and maximize available resources
• Asset management systems that improve decision-making and long-term planning
• Public engagement strategies that build trust and keep communities informed

Public works departments don’t have to tackle these challenges alone. WSB partners with municipalities to provide staff augmentation, funding and grant support, asset management solutions, and public engagement services that help communities operate more efficiently and plan for the future. Reach out to WSB to learn how we can support your team and community goals

Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA) Grant: Practical Solutions for Real Community Needs 

July 7, 2026

Communities experiencing repeated flooding understand the strain it places on homes, businesses, and local budgets. Rising flood insurance costs after multiple claims add pressure for residents and municipalities, while aging stormwater systems and vulnerable infrastructure increase risk for critical facilities — including schools, hospitals, and emergency operations centers. 

For many smaller cities and rural areas, addressing these challenges at scale is difficult without additional support. FEMA’s Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA) program offers $600 million in federal funding to help communities address persistent and emerging flood risks. The program supports projects that reduce long-term impacts — from infrastructure improvements to property-level mitigation — and provides a federal cost share that makes meaningful progress more attainable. As application deadlines approach, cities, counties, and Tribal Nations are taking a closer look at where funding can have the greatest impact. 

FMA Grant Application Deadlines 

• State application deadlines: Often fall 4–8 weeks before FEMA’s deadline and vary by state. Coordinate early with your State Hazard Mitigation Office. 
• FEMA application deadline: August 6, 2026

Early coordination with state partners is crucial to meeting submission deadlines. 

Eligible Flood Mitigation Projects 

The FMA grant funds a variety of projects: 

• Acquisition and demolition of at-risk structures 

• Elevation of residential buildings above flood levels 

• Stormwater improvements such as upsized culverts and new drainage structures 

• Mitigation planning and project scoping for future initiatives 

Properties with Severe Repetitive Loss (SRL) and Repetitive Loss (RL) classifications qualify for higher federal cost share—100% and 90% respectively. Other NFIP-insured properties are eligible for a 75% federal cost share. 

How to Strengthen Your FMA Application 

Successful applications begin with reviewing the FMA Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) and compiling data on NFIP-insured properties and past flood claims. Coordination with local agencies ensures projects are feasible and align with FEMA requirements.  

FMA Readiness Checklist 

Communities preparing to pursue FMA funding can strengthen their position by focusing on a few key actions: 

• Compile a current list of NFIP-insured properties 

• Review recent flood claims and identify repetitive loss areas 

• Evaluate infrastructure vulnerabilities and potential mitigation opportunities 

• Coordinate with local agencies and state partners to confirm eligibility and priorities 

• Define project scope and anticipated outcomes 

• Gather supporting data to align with FEMA requirements 

• Identify projects that deliver measurable, long-term flood risk reduction 

Clear alignment across these elements helps position projects for funding and creates a more competitive, coordinated application. Many communities find that bringing these pieces together early provides a clearer path forward as deadlines approach. 

How WSB Can Help 

Getting started early can make a meaningful difference. 

WSB partners with communities to understand current flood risks, assess project readiness, and identify opportunities that align with FEMA priorities. Our team brings together emergency management, engineering, planning, and funding expertise to refine project scope, strengthen applications, and position projects for success. 

Whether evaluating mitigation strategies or advancing a defined project, we connect the data, partnerships, and documentation needed to compete. When funding opportunities open, communities are ready to move forward with confidence. 

Reach out to the WSB Grants & Funding Team to start the conversation. 

A Strategic Approach to Federal Bridge Funding: Understanding CHBP

July 2, 2026

By Melisha Platt, Grants and Funding Specialist, WSB

Federal bridge funding continues to evolve and with it, the complexity of pursuing major discretionary grants.

Programs like the Bridge Investment Program (BIP) require extensive narrative development, rigorous benefit-cost analysis, and participation in a highly competitive national pool. While these opportunities can be transformative, they also demand significant time and resources with no guarantee of award.

But there’s another path that often gets less attention.

The Competitive Highway Bridge Program (CHBP) offers a more focused and strategic alternative, particularly for eligible State DOTs.

Unlike BIP, CHBP is built around a smaller, targeted applicant pool of eligible states. The application process is structured and template-driven, reducing the need for extensive narrative development and allowing agencies to focus on what matters most: project clarity, readiness, and cost efficiency.

Even more important is CHBP’s emphasis on bundled projects.

Rather than funding a single high-profile bridge, CHBP supports packages of bridge replacements and rehabilitations. This allows DOTs to:

• Address multiple deficiencies at once
• Advance backlog reduction
• Align funding with asset management strategies

It’s a model that reflects how DOTs already operate managing systems, not individual assets.

That doesn’t mean CHBP is easy. Strong applications still require clear data, demonstrated cost savings through bundling, and a high level of project readiness.

But it does mean the process is more predictable, more aligned with internal priorities, and often more attainable than larger national programs.

For eligible states, CHBP isn’t just another funding opportunity—it’s a strategic tool to deliver meaningful, system-wide improvements with greater efficiency and a clearer path to success.

How WSB Can Help

As bridge funding programs continue to evolve, understanding where opportunities align with agency goals is becoming just as important as pursuing funding itself. For agencies evaluating CHBP, BIP, or other federal funding programs, WSB’s Grants & Funding team can serve as a resource in assessing options and developing a strategic path forward.