Project Spotlight
Highland Planning led an interdisciplinary team, including M.I.G., and supported the Mohawk Valley Regional Economic Development Council (REDC) in the development of its transformational regional initiative for the ACHIEVE Competition. Through this process, the initiative was selected as one of three statewide winners and secured $32 million in state funding for the Mohawk Valley. This rapid planning effort was centered on listening and consensus building—ensuring the initiative advanced the region’s strategic plan, leveraged regional strengths, and built community pride. Highland Planning regularly met with the REDC and conducted region-wide listening sessions and an Open Call for Project Proposals, which received 57 submissions representing $1 billion in total project investments. As part of the winning proposal, which advanced a slate of projects totaling $80 million in ACHIEVE funding requests, Highland Planning also prepared a detailed implementation and spending plan and updated the Mohawk Valley REDC’s 2025 Annual Report. This report can be viewed at: https://regionalcouncils.ny.gov/mohawk-valley
The region’s transformational initiative was anchored by three projects strategically spread across the region and complemented by a constellation of supporting projects that build capacity and propel the region’s tourism and agribusiness sectors forward. Through a highly collaborative process, Highland Planning helped the Mohawk Valley REDC develop a compelling and cohesive ACHIEVE Competition proposal. As awarded, this transformational proposal has the potential to positively impact the entire region by building innovation and capacity in tourism and agribusiness; advancing state priorities related to renewable energy, locally produced food, and brownfield redevelopment; creating new career pathways; and cultivating community resilience and pride.
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