The Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) process is a locally-based, regionally-driven economic development planning process. Economic development planning, as implemented through the CEDS, serves as a means to engage community leaders, leverage the involvement of the private sector, and establish a strategic blueprint for regional collaboration. Simply put, a CEDS is a strategy-driven plan for regional economic development. It can be a key component in establishing and maintaining a strong regional economy by helping to build economic capacity that contributes to individual, business and community success.

 

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 the region.

 

The 2022 CEDS was developed through the efforts of a committee appointed in January 2022 by the WPCOG Policy Board. The WPCOG revisits the CEDS every five years as is required of all U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) designated Economic Development Districts (EDD). The CEDS Committee met several times in 2022 and used extensive public input and stakeholder guidance to develop the new CEDS. On September 27th 2022, the WPCOG Policy Board unanimously adopted the 2022 CEDS as recommended by the CEDS Committee. Below you will find the adopted CEDS. Work to implement the CEDS is already underway and regular status updates are anticipated to maintain momentum around the 35 strategies endorsed by the plan.