Planning for strategic development is vital for communities to maximize their potential for growth and realize their goals. Not only does planning allow for a higher return on investment in infrastructure, development, and conservation efforts, it also promotes informed, inspired decision-making with a vision for the future.
Through our designations as an Economic Development District, an Area Agency on Aging, and a Regional Transportation Planning Organization, we work with local stakeholders across Southeast Ohio to develop long-term, data-informed strategic plans for the growth and well-being of the eight-county region we serve. You can learn more about these plans at the links below. We encourage you to use these plans and our mapping and data resources to develop competitive applications for your community’s projects.
Planning allows citizens to share input directly with local leaders on local issues. A key goal of comprehensive planning is to build a shared vision for the future and ensure there is ‘buy-in’ from a community’s citizens. Through public engagement, all citizens have the opportunity to remain involved in the ongoing growth of the community and hold each other accountable for progress toward the desired outcomes.
Planning helps a community identify opportunities and challenges. A community is made up of diverse public and private interests. By bringing together the expertise and perspectives held by officials and citizens, opportunities and challenges can be outlined for discussion. These discussions will help the community capitalize on mutually agreeable opportunities while also seeking to overcome challenges.
Planning helps a community make the most of limited resources. All small communities face challenges of limited resources, limited personnel, and limited time. Undertaking a comprehensive planning process can help prioritize the use of resources to maximize their return on investment.
Planning provides a basis for local policies. One role that local governments play in the lives of citizens is to enact and observe public policy that benefits the public good. A comprehensive plan created through the inclusion of robust public input provides a strong basis for these types of policy decisions.
Our Community Development team works with regional, state, and federal partners to help secure investments in projects that have a positive impact on the region’s quality of life by creating and retaining jobs, providing access to educational opportunities…
