Strategic Planning is one of the basic responsibilities of the Planning District Commission. The General Assembly envisions in its legislation that the Commission will prepare a plan, it will consider elements which are of importance to more than one locality, shall include measurable goals and objectives, and “promote the orderly and efficient development of the physical, social, and economic elements of the district”.

Strategic planning in the New River Valley is a process of a full accounting of “where we want to go”, however the plan is about what we need to do now, not about what to do in the future.

The Commission’s strategic plan currently consists of two documents aimed at promoting sustainable economic development and opportunities, fostering effective transportation systems, enhancing and protecting the environment, and balancing resources through sound management of development.

Community First (pdf) establishes the broad goals and ongjectives across the physical, social, and economic elements of the district. The Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) focuses on the economy and largely physical developments to support economic development. The CEDS is updated annually.