Regional & Industrial Planning

Regional planning is an essential tool for restoring our modern economies to a sustainable state. At ERI, this includes collaborative planning across city, county, and state agencies, comprehensive strategies for engaging diverse stakeholders, a tool chest of creative policies and programs, and other means to increasing our capacity to build a thriving and sustainable economic future.

Building Sustainable Regional Economies

Building sustainable regional economies often requires policy and programs shifts, and collaborative business and industry solutions that increase the success of local-focused businesses. ERI is continually working to fill this gap, by equipping cities, counties, states, and businesses with the resources and connections they need to build stronger and more resilient regional economies.

ERI often begins by conducting an economic restoration assessment. This includes mapping the current state of an economy and engaging stakeholders to build their vision for a sustainable economic future. We compare current conditions with a community’s desired future vision, and identify under-represented industries, unmet customer needs, key cultural values, policy gaps, and underperforming programs. One tool we are developing to support this process is the sustainable economy scorecard. Learn more about our restoration assessments and the score card by contacting us.

Organizational Strategies for Industry

If your industry lacks capacity to meet the needs of your region or state, reach out to start a conversation about your most important needs, and how we might be able to assist with a variety of organizational and technological solutions. ERI works with industries at the foundation of the balanced (sustainable) trade pyramid, such as sustainable forestry, agile manufacturing, waste-to-resources, regenerative agriculture, and regional renewable energy systems.

Site Development and Urban Renewal

Blighted urban areas often contain abandoned lots and buildings, or even contaminated sites, presenting maintenance and safety concerns that are a drain on local and state resources. These spaces present great opportunities for economic restoration. If you desire sustainable solutions for a blighted space you own or manage, let’s start a conversation about diverse alternatives that make sense for your community. Some solutions we help develop include mixed-use facilities, agile manufacturing, ecological clusters, and others.