PlanET Regional Plan for Livable Communities

ETcompetes! Speakers Series 2013 Begins April 30

sarah.powell — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 14:50:00 GMT

PlanET is beginning a speakers series that will include national and regional speakers who will address many of the issues and opportunities identified at the ETcompetes! symposium held in January.

Local HS Students Share Digital Stories about Creating Change in their Communities

host — Wed, 03 Apr 2013 06:47:00 GMT

Digital storytelling project, featuring short videos by Austin East High School Students, will be held April 13th.

New Census Figures Confirm Regional Connections

sarah.powell — Thu, 21 Mar 2013 09:12:00 GMT

A recent data release from the U.S. Census Bureau showed that 1 in 6 area workers, or almost 60,000 people, commute to another PlanET county for work. What are the implications for this level of mobility on our region?

How We Grow Matters!

sarah.powell — Fri, 01 Mar 2013 09:25:00 GMT

PlanET Launches Third Round of Community Involvement with Small-Group Meetings and New Online Input Tool.

COMING SOON: How Can We Grow Stronger as a Region?

sarah.powell — Wed, 27 Feb 2013 09:22:00 GMT

Did you know that by the year 2040 the five-county region we live in--Anderson, Blount, Knox, Loudon, and Union counties--is expected to grow by almost 300,000 people and 240,000 jobs? How do we grow that much and keep what we love about our communities? The decisions we make now matter!

Mayor's Council on Disability Issues and PlanET to Hold Public Forum

sarah.powell — Thu, 14 Feb 2013 13:48:00 GMT

It’s a fact that modern medical technology is helping us live longer. As we age, though, our bodies likely will experience natural wear that will slow us down or even limit our mobility. And for many of us, regardless of age, illness or injury may cause disability, often times a permanent condition. Are we prepared to live with a disability?

Challenge Grant Seeks Torchbearer to Carry PlanET Forward

sarah.powell — Thu, 24 Jan 2013 08:59:00 GMT

As Plan East Tennessee (PlanET) moves into its third and final year leadership is looking ahead with an eye toward finding ways to ensure the project’s important work continues past 2013.

Maximum-Capacity Crowd, Regional Leaders Discuss Future Competitiveness at PlanET Symposium

sarah.powell — Thu, 17 Jan 2013 10:58:00 GMT

Around 200 business, civic and government leaders were on hand last week to discuss the region’s future economic competitiveness at ETcompetes!, a symposium hosted by PlanET and Knoxville-Oak Ridge Innovation Valley, Inc.

UT Students Gain Real-World Experience with Regional Plan Work

host — Thu, 17 Jan 2013 08:26:00 GMT

Some early successes from the endeavor to encourage job growth, strong communities and healthy people and environment are coming from the very folks who will be among the region’s leaders in 2040: a current class of local college students.

Videos to be Debuted at ETcompetes Symposium

host — Wed, 02 Jan 2013 07:40:00 GMT

Two videos highlight how an East Tennessee resident and a long time, family-owned business have, in very different ways, adapted their skills and business to remain viable and competitive in evolving markets.

Sign Up Now for PlanET’s Third Round of Meeting in a Box

sarah.powell — Fri, 14 Dec 2012 13:03:00 GMT

PlanET will move into its third series of public input activities in January, and we want to know “How do YOU want our region to grow?”

Diverse Panel of Regional Leaders to Share Insights at ETcompetes Symposium

host — Thu, 13 Dec 2012 11:30:00 GMT

How can the East Tennessee Region remain competitive in an evolving national and global marketplace? A variety of industry and non-profit leaders have been tapped to help explore that question at the ETcompetes symposium scheduled for January 9, 2013.

PlanET to Kick Off 2013 with Regional Symposium: Advancing East Tennessee's Regional Competitiveness

host — Mon, 26 Nov 2012 21:38:00 GMT

Advancing East Tennessee's Regional Competitiveness is the focus of an upcoming symposium sponsored by Plan East Tennessee in partnership with Knoxville-Oak Ridge Innovation Valley, Inc.

American Graduate Initiative Highlights Dropout Problem in East Tennessee

sarah.powell — Mon, 26 Nov 2012 15:28:00 GMT

A new initiative is looking at ways to buoy the graduation rate among high school students across the region, beginning with a community forum to be held in December.

Upcoming Meetings to Discuss Regional Greenway Linkages

host — Tue, 20 Nov 2012 15:30:00 GMT

Several area organizations are partnering to hold a series of public meetings to explore regional greenway connections that can be a boost to local economies.

Ted Abernathy to Moderate ETcompetes Event

host — Wed, 14 Nov 2012 21:38:00 GMT

As Executive Director of the Southern Growth Policies Board, Mr. Abernathy is a specialist in economics and competitiveness and provides economic development research and advice for 13 Southern states.

More than 4,000 People Have Participated in PlanET

sarah.powell — Tue, 30 Oct 2012 14:09:00 GMT

And we're hoping for even more. More opportunities to help shape a direction for East Tennessee's future are coming soon.

What Are Your Priorities for the Future of Your Community?

sarah.powell — Thu, 25 Oct 2012 12:20:00 GMT

PlanET Launches New Survey to Determine Most Critical Future Factors

Expected Population Gains Prompt Long-Term Regional Planning

host — Wed, 29 Aug 2012 14:46:00 GMT

Recent projections show the PlanET area growing to over 1 million people by 2040. Are we ready?

Meeting in a Box Proves Popular with Local Groups

host — Wed, 29 Aug 2012 14:35:00 GMT

Over 300 people participated in PlanET's second round of community input using the Meeting in a Box tool. This input format is proving to be an excellent way to reach residents representing a variety of interests across the region.

UT Landscape Architecture Faculty and Students to Write Green Infrastructure Guide

sarah.powell — Fri, 27 Jul 2012 14:22:00 GMT

Professor Brad Collett and his students didn’t set out to write the book on using green infrastructure to manage stormwater, but as a result of a partnership between UT and PlanET, that’s about to happen.

Focus on Farming: East Tennessee Farmers Losing Ground

sarah.powell — Thu, 26 Jul 2012 13:50:00 GMT

East Tennessee has a rich agricultural heritage. Its hundred-acre farms, backyard gardens, roadside stands, and farmers markets make up that tradition. And it’s not just a rural culture. Even city folks can know the joy of walking out to the garden and plucking a ripe tomato off the vine for supper. Community gardens in urban areas and a recent ordinance that allows keeping chickens inside the City of Knoxville show a region-wide interest in homegrown foods.

Why Do We Live Where We Live?

host — Wed, 20 Jun 2012 09:41:00 GMT

According to a recent University of Tennessee survey, our ideal neighborhoods would have top-notch schools, provide easy driving access, but would offer places to walk and nearby walking destinations.

PlanET Hears from 2,000 Residents in Recent Community Survey

host — Fri, 15 Jun 2012 09:59:00 GMT

"The Community Survey" conducted by the University of Tennessee reached 2000 households in the region. It showed a high quality of life was enjoyed by residents but focus on jobs and education should be a top priority.

Meeting in a Box 2 Training Scheduled

host — Thu, 14 Jun 2012 15:05:00 GMT

Interested in learning more about running your own Meeting in a Box? Join us for a webinar on June 18th.

What do YOU Want East Tennessee to be Like in the Next Five, Ten, Twenty years? Opportunities to Participate in the Discussion Are Still Available

sarah.powell — Fri, 25 May 2012 07:51:00 GMT

Taking the time to attend a public meeting is a big commitment, so PlanET offers two new and creative tools that bring input opportunities directly to you. Those opportunties are provided where you already gather as a community and through an online resource.

Forum Series 2 Results Show Residents’ Ideas About the Future of Five-County Region

sarah.powell — Fri, 25 May 2012 07:23:00 GMT

The second round of PlanET public forums was held April 23-28, and attendees were asked to look into the future and share what they’d like to see in their communities and the region.

New Technologies Push PlanET Forums Beyond the Average Public Meeting

host — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 15:04:00 GMT

Gone are the flips charts, color-markers and sticky notes used for decades. Laptops, LCD projectors and keypad voting are the new standard for collecting public input

PlanET Gears Up for Regional Forum Series 2 Events

host — Thu, 05 Apr 2012 12:00:00 GMT

Shared values and aspirations for 2040 are being discussed at the second round of public forums. East Tennessee citizens are urged to weigh in: “What kind of East Tennessee region do you want future generations to inherit?”

National Summit Brings Community Leaders to Knoxville

sarah.powell — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 13:00:00 GMT

Last week, downtown Knoxville was the setting for the Smaller Places Summit, a gathering of community leaders from across the country, hosted by the Institute for Sustainable Communities.

What IS PlanET?

sarah.powell — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 07:38:00 GMT

It’s a fair question. But it’s also one that’s hard to answer because there is no predetermined outcome. Right now, Plan East Tennessee, or PlanET, is a planning process aimed at capitalizing on the five-county Knoxville region’s strengths and addressing its challenges. What PlanET will grow to be is really up to the citizens in the region who are participating in the process.

UTK Architecture & Design Studios to Benefit Regional Planning Process

sarah.powell — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 07:58:00 GMT

The University of Tennessee’s College of Architecture and Design, as part of their leveraged $1 million dollar match with the PlanET process, held their first graduate studio project this past fall with students in the 2nd year of the Master’s of Landscape Architecture professional degree program.

PlanET Working Groups Will Tap Local Expertise

host — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 14:21:00 GMT

Working groups comprised of citizens with specialized knowledge and interests are being assembled to address issues related to strengths and weaknesses identified at the community forums held last November.

Common Themes Emerge at PlanET Forum Series 1

sarah.powell — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 10:30:00 GMT

During a first round of community forums held the week of November 14th, several common themes emerged around strengths and challenges that citizens see in their own communities and throughout the five-county PlanET region.

East Tennesseans Gauge Regional Strengths, Challenges at Forum Series 1

sarah.powell — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 10:29:00 GMT

During the week of November 14th, PlanET hosted a series of six regional forums in each of the PlanET counties - Anderson, Blount, Knox, Loudon, and Union. The meetings were open to the public and focused on assessing what participants see as the primary strengths and challenges in the region.

Keep the Conversation Going: New PlanET Input Tools Launched

host — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 09:07:00 GMT

Not able to attend the first round of PlanET Regional Forums? No problem! You have more than one opportunity to submit your ideas.

Communities Coming Together to Build a Stronger East Tennessee

sarah.powell — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 12:41:00 GMT

PlanET is hosting a series of six Community Forums beginning Monday, November 14 through Thursday, November 17.

PlanET Kickoff Celebration Launches Regional Planning Effort

sarah.powell — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 12:22:00 GMT

Rain may have forced Plan East Tennessee (PlanET) officials to move their Kickoff Celebration indoors, but it couldn’t dampen the enthusiasm of the standing-room-only crowd who attended the event.

Join us for the PlanET Kickoff Celebration!

amy.brooks — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 12:43:00 GMT

Join us on Tuesday, October 11, on Market Square in downtown Knoxville for a kick-off event to introduce the PlanET process to the public and showcase how it will be used to create a positive impact in our community.

PlanET Consultant Team Selected

host — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 20:52:00 GMT

Wallace Roberts & Todd (WRT) have been selected as the lead consultant to assist the PlanET Consortium in developing a vision for future of our region.

Daily Times: PlanET Holds Promise to Improve Livability

host — Sun, 31 Jul 2011 16:01:00 GMT

“Scientia potentia.” Translation: Knowledge is power. Sounds like tech-talk by professional planners — and it is. But it makes sense. Want to move ahead? First, make sure you know where you are.

Daily Times: Blount Part of Five-County Growth Plan

host — Sun, 31 Jul 2011 16:00:00 GMT

The ultimate goal of a $4.3 million planning grant is to come up with a blueprint for growth, improved health and transportation for this five-county region.

2011 State of Region Report Released

host — Mon, 20 Jun 2011 09:26:00 GMT

The 2011 State of Region Report outlines conditions that affect livability and will serve as a benchmark to measure the progess towards goals established by the PlanET process.

PlanET Request for Qualifications Released

host — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 14:49:00 GMT

The PlanET Consortium Partners seeks Request for Qualifications for firms and other ventures to help develop a Regional Plan for Livable Communities.

Regional Partners Embark on Three Year Regional Planning Effort

host — Fri, 04 Feb 2011 11:35:00 GMT

In the fall of 2010, the City of Knoxville asked MPC to prepare a grant application to the Sustainable Communities Planning Grant Program. The result was $4.3 million award, among the largest in the country.

Knoxville MSA Awarded HUD's Sustainable Communities Regional Planning Grant

host — Wed, 02 Feb 2011 15:28:00 GMT

The City of Knoxville - working with the Metropolitan Planning Commission (MPC), the Knoxville Regional Transportation Planning Organization (TPO), and other local governments and agencies - has been awarded a $4.3 million grant to develop a comprehensive plan for a more sustainable East Tennessee.