Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy

Regional Capital Improvements Program (CEDS/RCIP)

For over 30 years, GNRC has prepared and maintained the CEDS/RCIP for the region. This regional planning effort provides a periodic assessment of growth trends, development needs and strategies, and incorporates adopted regional smart growth policies. The RCIP also identifies on a county-by-county basis the public infrastructure project needs and costs required to support growth, overall economic development and new job creation over the next five (5) year period. This project needs and costs data are used as a tool to assist local governments in securing project financing with state and federal agencies, and to assist regional planning and coordination of development across city and county boundaries.

The last update and revision of the CEDS/RCIP was completed in September 2001. The coming updates will be enhanced by the additional infrastructure needs data generated through city/ county growth plans being prepared now under Public Chapter 1101 Growth Planning Legislation. The first five (5) years of project needs and costs identified under the 20 year Growth Plans will be utilized to help determine public infrastructure needs/capital budget improvements required locally for the region (with other sources, as well).

Under State Legislation adopted effective July 1, 1996 the RCIP or Infrastructure Needs Inventory became an annual or bi-annual updating process. This work is carried out by the Tennessee Advisory Commission on Intergovernmental Relations (TACIR) through contracts with the nine (9) Tennessee Development Districts. GNRC's years of RCIP work provided the initial model for the Infrastructure Needs Inventory as set forth in the State Legislation.