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NADO Peer Exchange: Combining and Aligning Plans

In This Article:

On October 31, the NADO Research Foundation held its fourth virtual peer exchange on collaborative transportation and economic development planning.  Practitioners from across the country gained an in-depth understanding of models from East Central Iowa, North Central Pennsylvania, and Chittenden County, VT, where regional leaders have merged their Comprehensive Economic Development Strategies (CEDS) and Long-Range Transportation Plans into one document or used common data analysis, goals and strategies, and project selection criteria in both plans.  Participants also engaged in one-on-one and group peer coaching sessions where they identified resources that could support coordinated planning processes, and got expert personalized advice on topics including managing complex planning processes; building relationships with partners across disciplines and motivating them to take ownership of results; and developing coordinated plans that are user friendly, impactful, and meet all federal requirements.

This training was the fourth installment of ‘On the Road to Prosperity: Fostering Collaborative Transportation and Economic Development Planning,’ a series of five virtual peer exchanges exploring how transportation and economic development planning practitioners can work together to maximize the economic impact of infrastructure investments, grow businesses and jobs, and strengthen the livability and vitality of communities and regions.  These peer exchanges are conducted with support from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA).  Watch for details on the fifth and final event in the series, which will highlight infrastructure financing tools, examine their use for transportation investments that support economic prosperity, and share strategies for ensuring project readiness.

The peer exchange agenda is available here (PDF), and resource mapping exercise used during the peer exchange is here (PDF).  View the slides below.

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