About the Grant

The Regional Plan for Sustainable Development will look at current and future opportunities to meet the needs of the diverse communities and residents of the region in a manner that doesn’t compromise the needs of future generations. The plan will lay out goals for the region, develop metrics to assess sustainability, analyze regional scenarios, and recommend implementation strategies. Plan development will be driven by extensive public engagement, technical advisement and fact-based analysis.

Hands-on workgroups, including subject matter experts and regional representatives will assist in the completion of key grant workplan items by assessing existing conditions to create a baseline of sustainability in the region, generating ideas and recommendations, identifying applicable best practices and research, vetting and reviewing work products, and assisting with outreach and promotion of the plan and its objectives. Stakeholder groups will meet independently as well as collectively to coordinate efforts, share ideas and review recommendations. Local governments and representatives will play a key role in the development of this plan as members of the stakeholder advisory groups. Public engagement will be critical to the entire planning process, beginning with a public visioning exercise to develop regional goals and gain consensus on a regional vision for sustainability. Stakeholder/public engagement will begin in Summer 2011. The Coordinating Committee of the Consortium will work with local government partners to encourage the voluntary adoption and implementation of Plan elements and recommendations.