Community Planning

We partner with regional leaders to create vibrant, sustainable, and welcoming communities for all.

Our Services

  • Comprehensive development planning, climate resiliency planning, pandemic response and recovery planning
  • Resource and grant navigation and writing for community and economic development projects
  • Small business development support 
  • Sustainable food and agricultural development and planning
  • Housing plan development
  • Community engagement design and facilitation

Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy

West Central Initiative is the federally designated planning organization for the region through the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA). As part of our contract with the EDA, every five years we create a Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy for the Region IV Economic Development District of Minnesota. We work with professional and volunteer economic development staff to develop this resource with input from various stakeholders, including the public. We update the strategy every year to better reflect current conditions.

The Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy outlines the needs, goals, strategies, and implementation process for the region’s economic development work. The document is a blueprint for regional collaboration. 

Additional Resources

Recent Community News

Connect with Us

Greg Wagner
Greg Wagner, AICP
Director of Business & Economic Development
greg@wcif.org
218-998-1621 | 800-735-2239
Mark Kaelke
Community Planner
mark@wcif.org
800-735-2239
Celeste Koppe
Rural Initiatives Strategist
celeste@wcif.org
800-735-2239