CGR Briefs

Local Government Efficiency Opportunities

CGR’s Local Government Practice Lead Paul Bishop recently spoke with local elected officials in Little Valley, Cattaraugus County, on the state of local governments in rural areas and the opportunities for reorganization, especially for Towns and Villages. Bishop discussed the steps needed for municipal dissolutions and consolidations as well the grant opportunities to fund this type of study.

Food Insecurity in Arkansas

Our map is helping shine a light on the growing food insecurity crisis in Arkansas.

Help increase CGR's impact in the community

Whether it’s preparing our region to optimally benefit from the clean energy transition, analyzing the potential impact of voting reform or supporting key local nonprofit organizations, CGR (Center for Governmental Research) has been working hard to enable positive community change in 2024.

Developing a Regional Workforce Hub

CGR is launching a new project with Monroe Community College and the Monroe Community College Foundation to explore a potential approach for operating a more regionally coordinated workforce development ecosystem.

CGR Gathers Input on Needs of People who Use Drugs

Trillium Health engaged CGR to understand the needs and perspectives of people who use drugs to inform strategic planning and future programming. Trillium provides medical care and operates a harm reduction program providing walk-in HIV, Hepatitis C and sexually transmitted infection testing, safe supplies such as needles and NARCAN, and connections to basic needs and other support services. CGR held focus groups and surveyed people who use drugs, interviewed community stakeholders and created an interactive map of drug-use indicators to inform decisions about the location and types of possible future services.

Town of Ticonderoga Emergency Medical Services District

The Town of Ticonderoga in Essex County, New York, chose to create an ambulance district to ensure sustainable emergency medical services in the Town. As part of the process, the Town hired CGR to develop the required map, plan and report. On Aug. 8, CGR Principal Paul Bishop presented the materials to the Town Board and discussed challenges facing the non-profit community-based ambulance service Ticonderoga Emergency Medical Services.

CGR Study Examines Potential Impact of Voting Reform in New York State

CGR studied the potential impact of a “Final Five” voting system in New York State, at the request of the League of Women Voters of the Rochester Metro Area. Final Five vote combines open primaries with ranked-choice voting of up to five candidates per race in the general election.

Town of Cheektowaga Emergency Medical Services Study

CGR was engaged by the Town of Cheektowaga to evaluate its emergency medical services system including its communications department, the 11 fire departments that provide an EMS response and the primary commercial ambulance provider, AMR. The fully volunteer fire departments respond to about 21 calls per day and AMR responds to about 27 calls per day, and across the board, labor and volunteer shortages are impacting the availability of service.

CGR to Continue Work on EMS in Essex County

CGR is continuing our work with Essex County to ensure sustainable and effective Emergency Medical Services.

Learning Haudenosaunee History

In order to increase our organization’s cultural competency and expand community relationships, CGR hosts monthly events on topics related to diversity, equity and inclusion. In May and June 2024, we engaged in two sessions with Ronnalyn (Ronnie) Pollack, a member of the Mississauga’s of the Credit First Nation/Six Nations of the Grand River, to learn about Haudenosaunee history, the historical impact of colonization and U.S. policy and the current state of the Haudenosaunee.

Launch of 17th CGR Community Indicators Website

The Greater Worchester Community Foundation recently unveiled its new indicators website, Worcester County Insights, created by CGR.

Claverack Tackles Complexities of Fire Protection Funding

The Town of Claverack has a complex arrangement for providing and funding its fire protection.