Regional Development and Planning at IPA

Delaware Memorial Bridge at night with glowing lights reflecting on the water

HELPING COMMUNITIES SHAPE THEIR FUTURES

The Institute for Public Administration (IPA) partners with state and local governments, regional planning organizations, and business and community groups to plan for and adapt to changing economic, demographic, and environmental conditions. Staffed by urban and regional planners, public policy professionals, and student research assistants, IPA delivers research, planning, and technical assistance services to advance place-based prosperity and vitality.

 

EXPERTISE IN REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND PLANNING

IPA's capabilities include:

  • Comprehensive planning and land use ordinances

  • Economic and workforce development research and policy analysis

  • Economic impact studies

  • Housing and real estate analysis and policy evaluation

  • Infrastructure and transportation planning and policy research

  • Organizational development and capacity building

  • Project development and grant writing

  • Resilience planning

  • Strategic planning and facilitation

  • Technology and innovation policy research

Featured Partnerships

Group portrait of GAP team featuring (from left to right) Matt Harris, Lori Spagnolo, Collin Willard, Chase Barnes, and Troy Mix

Grant Assistance Program

Funded by the State of Delaware, IPA staff support local governments in identifying and applying for funding opportunities to support critical infrastructure needs in their communities.

Learn More.

Jaime Renman and Brian Polito conduct public engagement outreach for the Mobility in Motion project, in partnership with the Delaware Transit Corporation.

Transportation Policy and Planning Research

In partnership with the Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT), IPA advances solutions-oriented research, coordinates planning activities, and convenes policy forums to support efficient, effective, and equitable transportation investments for Delaware and the surrounding region.

Recent projects include research on the impact of electric vehicles on motor fuel tax, policy forums on infrastructure and freight, and the Complete Communities Toolbox.

Image of Sean O'Neill at public meeting for Elsmere's draft Comprehensive Plan

Comprehensive Planning

By facilitating comprehensive planning processes, studying growth and real estate dynamics, and evaluating and revising zoning and subdivision ordinances, IPA supports cities, towns, and regions in their efforts to identify, plan for, and implement community goals and objectives.

View Recent Comprehensive Plans

Meet our Team

Portrait of Troy Mix

Troy Mix, AICP, is an associate director and policy scientist at IPA. He leads IPA's Regional Development and Planning Team, and his project work focuses on delivering data-informed research and analysis, strategic planning, and training services to support the economic and organizational development efforts of governments, business groups, and community stakeholders across Delaware and the mid-Atlantic region. He received a B.A. in Political Science from the University of Pittsburgh and a Master of Public Administration from the University of Delaware.

Portrait of Chase Barnes

Chase Barnes is an assistant policy scientist at IPA. He is a core staff member for IPA's Grant Assistance Program, with professional experience in state and local government, community outreach, and capital project management. Chase earned a B.A. in Political Science from Columbia College and a Master of Public Administration from the University of Delaware.

Portrait of William DeCoursey

William (BJ) DeCoursey, AICP, is an associate policy scientist at IPA. He has facilitated the comprehensive planning process for numerous towns and cities in Delaware, and he has significant transportation planning and research experience on topics including nonmotorized transportation and integrated transportation management. BJ earned a B.A. in Communication from the State University of New York at Geneseo and a Master of Public Administration from the University of Delaware.

Portrait of Matthew Harris

Matthew Harris is an associate policy scientist at IPA. He is a core staff member for IPA's Grant Assistance Program, with professional experiences focused on comprehensive planning, community engagement, and equitable transportation planning. Matt earned a B.S. in Sociology from the University of Delaware and a M.S. in Community and Regional Planning from Temple University.

Portrait of William McGowan

William (Bill) McGowan serves as a senior fellow at IPA after spending the bulk of his career as an Extension Agent with the University of Delaware and three years as the Delaware/Maryland State Director of USDA Rural Development. He advises and directly supports IPA's work on community development, rural economic development, and civic innovation. Bill earned a B.S. in Plant Sciences, a M.Ed. in Adult and Continuing Education Administration, and an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership and Administration from the University of Delaware.

Portrait of Sean O'Neill

Sean O'Neill, AICP, is a policy scientist at IPA. He manages IPA's local government training program and directs projects focused on comprehensive planning, housing policy, and transportation planning. Sean earned a B.A. in Government and Politics and a Master of Community Planning from the University of Maryland.

Portrait of Jennifer Reitz

Jennifer Reitz, AICP, is a principal planner at IPA. Her work focuses on assisting state and local governments to address planning challenges, including but not limited to comprehensive planning, neighborhood and downtown revitalization, historic preservation, and climate adaptation. Jen earned a B.S. in Nutrition from Penn State University and an M.A. in Urban Affairs and Public Policy from the University of Delaware.

Portrait of Lori Spagnolo

Lori Spagnolo is a policy scientist at IPA. She serves as program lead for IPA's Grant Assistance Program. She has over 25 years of experience in the environmental policy field, including serving as Brownfield Program Coordinator for the State of Delaware. Lori earned a bachelor's degree in environmental studies from Rutgers University and a Master of Marine Policy from the University of Delaware.

Portrait of Collin Willard

Collin Willard is a grants specialist at IPA. With a background in transportation policy, land use planning, and historical research, he works primarily on the Grant Assistance Program to provide local governments with grant writing, research, and technical planning assistance. Collin earned a B.A. in Public Policy and History and an M.A. in Urban Affairs and Public Policy from the University of Delaware.

Portrait of Larry Windley

Larry Windley serves as a senior fellow at IPA after spending his career in economic development leadership roles, including ten years as senior director for special projects and economic development for U.S. Senator Thomas Carper. He advises and directly supports IPA's work on economic development and the Grant Assistance Program. Larry earned a B.A. in Political Science from the University of Delaware.

Engaging Students in APPLIED Research

Nicole Seymour earned her Master of Public Administration in 2015. During her time at UD, she applied for a job at the Institute for Public Administration (IPA), which ultimately changed the trajectory of her life as she was introduced to urban planning. As a 4+1 MPA Student, Nicole was a research assistant with the IPA’s Planning Services Group. The academic and work assignments afforded Nicole the opportunity to produce deliverables that supported a diverse set of stakeholder clients and improved communities, hone her writing skills, and produce and defend original research before public leaders and policymakers. 

Nicole's MPA education and IPA experience taught her the value of preparedness and providing data-supported solutions. The invaluable writing skills developed under the guidance of Martin Wollaston and Andrew Homsey guided her drafting skills as she reviewed contractual agreements and the writings of colleagues and staff. 

Nicole now works as the Special Assistant to the Administrator at the Federal Transit Administration, where she assists with advancing FTA policies and programs and supports operation of the Administrator’s office. 

Nicole's time with IPA sparked her interest in urban planning. She continues to advocate for the University of Delaware’s MPA program and is a UD mentor.

Portrait of Nicole Seymour standing in front of her student research poster on transit friendliness.

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