Economic Development

Since its creation in 1956, The Tri-County Regional Planning Commission has provided staff as data and analysis resource to the public and economic developers working actively in matters regarding regional economic development.

Since 1986, Tri-County Regional Planning Commission has been an Economic Designated District as appointed by the US Department of Commerce, Economic Development Administration (EDA). This designation allows TCRPC to receive planning grant dollars from EDA as well as providing every municipality within the three county region, eligibility for EDA's different investment programs (if they meet qualifications as set by EDA):

Public Works and Economic Development
Economic Adjustment Assistance (EAA)
Research and National Technical Assistance
Local Technical Assistance
Planning Program
University Center Economic Development, and
Trade Adjustment Assistance for Firms

More information can be found on the EDA website: http://www.eda.gov/

Clinton, Eaton and Ingham Counties

The three county region is recognized as a superior place to live and work, do business and make investments. With the economy recovering, this region is gaining momentum in high-tech fields related to life sciences, research and development, advanced manufacturing and related component to the automotive industry. Businesses are supported within a climate that encourages growth and attracting cutting edge research.

There are huge advantages for locating in this region, beginning with the low costs of doing business; having access to Michigan State University, Lansing Community College and other colleges; access to research companies, excellent transportation systems via land, rail and air, and hosting a workforce that is highly educated, skilled and productive.

Over 100 parks offering indoor and outdoor recreation facilities for sports, golfing, baseball, biking paths, hiking, rock climbing, canoeing, kayaking, motor boating, fishing, hunting, snow skiing, camping and picnicking.
Professional baseball, big ten sports through Michigan State University
Support of cultural entertainment, art and music through festivals, professional theater productions, international art displays, university and local museums, movie theaters and production companies.
Providing excellent public schools, rich and diverse communities, nationally recognized colleges and universities, state of the art hospitals, international airport port of entry, and regional partnerships.
Hosting scenic beauty with rivers, lakes, farms, small villages and cities, and access to the great lakes within 1.5 hours going east and west.

Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS)

Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy for Clinton, Eaton and Ingham Counties

Clinton, Eaton and Ingham Counties, located in mid-Michigan, are great places for people to live, learn, work and play. They also share one important ingredient: the ability to sustain and increase economic competitiveness in the ever-changing global economy. To accomplish this, the region sets economic priorities and identifies what needs to be primary areas of focus in the short and long-term future. These are contained in the Tri-County Regional Planning Commission's Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS). Through the United States Department of Commerce, regions across the country develop their economic strategies in order to compete for federal grants designed to help enhance infrastructure and economic prosperity within regions.

Multidisciplinary Federal-Local and Public-Private Collaboration

Development of the CEDS enables municipalities in the tri-county region to compete for federal projects. To complete the CEDS, economic development professionals join with transportation and land use planners, tourism experts, environmentalists and business leaders to outline and upgrade a three year strategy encompassing both infrastructure and job development across all sectors.

Goals and Actions contained within the CEDS provide for the promotion of regional economic development through public and private sector collaboration which will make this region globally competitive in the 21st century. Cities, townships and counties within the tri-county region that have economic projects which are regional in scope and reflect the key elements of the CEDS, are eligible to apply for federal EDA matching funds.

Goals of Projects

To accomplish a goal that emphasizes regional collaboration in moving away from current trends in land use and transportation toward a goal that supports conservation, countryside, centers and corridors, the CEDS supports potential projects which fulfill the following, before being considered for grants: Connect and build upon mature and blossoming technology centers (bio-mass research, bio-medical, simulation, and green energy Identify, adopt and implement best practices for land and development planning, environmental preservation and green energy production Improve global connectivity of all transportation systems

Action Recommendations

The CEDS also outlines recommendations for specific actions the region can take to accomplish the goals:

1. Attract and retain knowledge-based industries and the innovative workforce
2. Further diversify the economy by supporting emerging economic clusters
3. Move towards a greater share of high technology and science-based economy that enhances the region's advantages in bio-medical and bio-mass research and green energy and manufacturing
4. Leverage the region's environmental assets for long-term natural resource stewardship and associated economic diversification and development
5. Implement 4 C's - conservation, centers, corridors and countryside. The principal elements of the vision are:

a. Preserve the most sensitive environmental lands and waters
b. Avoid continued sprawl
c. Connect higher density, mixed-use (residential and commercial) urban centers with multi-modal transportation corridors served by new transit lines
d. Preserve countryside
6. Provide more opportunities for affordable workforce housing to support job expansion
7. Enhance connections to worldwide markets
8. Increase global/regional freight cross-connections for air, rail and road
9. Reduce the impact of job losses created by Baby Boomer retirements and automotive manufacturing