LANSING, Mich. – The Tri-County Regional Planning Commission (Tri-County) has published the region's Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS), "Connect and Collaborate: An Honest Conversation About #LoveLansing," making the tri-county region eligible to receive federal grant funding for economic development projects.
The CEDS is completed every five years for the tri-county region of Clinton, Eaton, and Ingham counties to qualify the region for grant funding under the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA). As an active, living document, the CEDS is updated annually in collaboration with regional stakeholders from nonprofit, private, and public organizations representing various industries.
"The CEDS is a reflection of our regional assets, needs, opportunities, and challenges, and it identifies where we are, who we want to be, and how we can get there, together," said Jim Snell, Tri-County’s interim executive director. "The potential for regional growth and prosperity is here, and this strategy sets a foundation for how to move forward. We are thrilled to present this document to the community and welcome ideas to continue the conversation."
The CEDS provides a vehicle for individuals, organizations, local governments, institutes of learning, and private industry to engage in a meaningful conversation and debate about what capacity building efforts would best serve economic development in our region. Based on received feedback, the CEDS focuses on three core goal categories for the tri-county region: transportation and infrastructure, talent and education, and culture and lifestyle.
Tri-County invited nearly 100 representatives from adult education, workforce development, community development, economic development, transportation, municipal, private sector, nonprofit, and higher education organizations in the Greater Lansing area to participate in a visioning process to gauge the region's needs. Nearly 50 community leaders and partner organizations came together to evaluate our regional strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats, and 30 attended a facilitated planning session to review survey responses, prioritize community needs, identify core regional goals, and develop this five-year economic vision for the region.
The CEDS includes an extensive action plan, detailing strategies, partners, and performance measures that can position Michigan's capital region as a competitive, global economic leader. Communities and organizations are encouraged to come forward if they recognize any strategies and initiatives they can contribute to and connect with to help better our region’s economic vitality and sustainability.
The document is open for a public comment period ending at 5 p.m. on Friday, November 9, 2018. Comments can be made to Senior Economic Development Planner Rachel Elsinga at relsinga@mitcrpc.org. View the current CEDS at www.mitcrpc.org/ceds. The final publication will be available following the completion of the comment period.
Contact
Nicole Baumer
Outreach & Communications Coordinator
517-393-0342 x 11
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The Tri-County Regional Planning Commission is a public planning agency established in 1956, serving Clinton, Eaton, and Ingham counties in Mid-Michigan. Tri-County makes our region a more prosperous community by planning for a strong economy, reliable transportation, and sustainable infrastructure and natural resources. We connect local organizations and governments to funding, technical assistance, data resources, and opportunities to discuss trends and challenges affecting the Greater Lansing area. Learn more at www.mitcrpc.org.
