The CAPCOG Regional Planning and Services (RPS) Division will collect public comments on the 2025-2030 Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) draft until May 16, 2025. Community input and engagement plays a pivotal role in drafting the five-year plan, which establishes regional economic goals and objectives for the 10-county region.
“Involving local residents and stakeholders keeps the plan grounded with real challenges and opportunities,” said Kaileen McHugh, CAPCOG planning and economic development coordinator, encouraging stakeholders to participate in the CEDS’s draft comment period. “The CAPCOG region is large and diverse, gathering input from different areas ensures multiple voices are heard and communities are not overlooked.”
The strategy gives communities an overview of the region’s economic situation and helps identify opportunities for improvement by defining strengths and weaknesses through data-driven insights and stakeholder input. It allows local and regional decision-makers to facilitate collaboration in addressing economic priorities and establishes a framework for strengthening economic resilience, competitiveness, and quality of life. The U.S. Economic Development Administration also looks to the CEDS when making decisions about project grant applications.
“Our goal is to get as many people involved as possible; this is regional plan that reflects many perspectives and local needs,” McHugh said noting workshops were conducted in all 10 counties. “Local input ensures the strategy benefits the entire region rather than just a select few.”
RPS distributed the strategy draft to local government officials and regional economic development stakeholders earlier this week for comment.
