Regional Plan

Regional planning agencies are unique in their ability to offer a high-level, nonparochial view of issues and priorities – and solutions to address them. Sometimes there are clear, mutually accepted views throughout a region. In other cases, there are differing and sometimes competing priorities among communities. In both cases, WUPPDR is the key entity to convene diverse organizations and local governments in our region to work toward the same goals and objectives whenever possible.

Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy

The key regional plan is the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS). The CEDS is maintained in WUPPDR’s capacity as an Economic Development District Organization (EDD) designated by the United States Department of Commerce, Economic Development Administration (EDA).

The CEDS serves two functions:

  • Serve as a concise, centralized regional overview and data source, including infrastructure, socioeconomic data, physical geography, and many other elements.

  • Identify regional issues, opportunities, goals, and objectives, and establish a roadmap for resolving problems and capitalizing on opportunities.

The CEDS is maintained by a committee of approximately a dozen regional stakeholders encompassing a variety of economic interests and sectors. The CEDS Committee meetings quarterly on an ongoing basis, and more frequently as needed to conduct an extensive update of the documents every five years.

The five-year CEDS for 2022-2026 was adopted by the WUPPDR Commission on December 20, 2021 and can be accessed here: Main Document | Appendix

Regional Prosperity Initiative

This grant program, often referred to as RPI, spanning from 2014 to 2019, was introduced by Michigan Governor Rick Snyder to enhance collaboration among local, regional, and state agencies and organizations throughout Michigan on a regional basis. WUPPDR was designated Prosperity Region 1a. Over the course of six highly flexible annual grant awards, WUPPDR implemented dozens of projects, including, to name several:

  • Mini-grants for placemaking and community marketing

  • Regional Road Maintenance study

  • Integrated Asset Management program

  • Residential and retail target market analyses

  • Energy efficiency and renewable energy projects

  • Asset mapping/inventories

The Regional Prosperity Initiative began with a five-year Regional Prosperity Plan, which was updated each year in the proceeding year’s grant application. Click here to view the original plan.