Table of Contents
What is Framework 2030?
Framework 2030 — Partnering for the Future, is a regional planning and economic development project led by the Central Mississippi River Regional Planning Partnership. The Partner communities anticipate significant growth and development in the coming decades, and are using a collaborative approach to regional planning to maintain a high quality of life for area residents, businesses, and visitors. This means development that brings high-paying jobs and other amenities to the region, the range of housing that people need, a robust infrastructure that supports critical transportation, technology, and utility requirements, and access to nature. See the results and follow progress here.
What is the Central Mississippi River Regional Planning Partnership (CMRP)?
The Partnership currently includes the cities of Becker, Big Lake, and Monticello; Becker, Silver Creek, Monticello, and Big Lake townships; and Sherburne and Wright counties. Some of these communities formed a coalition in 2016 focusing on transportation concerns, adopted a joint powers agreement in 2017, and updated it in September 2019 to reflect the Partnership’s evolving focus on regional challenges and opportunities. Learn more about the Partnership’s history or follow its work.
What prompted this planning project?
The Central Mississippi River region is tied together by commerce, transportation, and its location between two major metropolitan areas. Each of the Partnership communities has its own unique history, vision, and values, and each retains local control over land use and economic development. At the same time, the Partnership understands that robust growth presents challenges and opportunities that require regional coordination, and launched this Framework 2030 planning project to explore those. See March 2020 press release.
What’s the planning area (region) and how was it determined?
The Partnership identified a regional planning area and a focused planning area. The regional planning area includes all of Sherburne and Wright Counties, while the focused planning area is tied to Partner communities. These boundaries were determined based on the availability for data for technical analysis.
Who is leading Framework 2030? Who else is involved?
Framework 2030 development and implementation is led by the Partnership and coordinated by the planners responsible for the Partner communities. The Partnership’s planning consultant was Planning NEXT (see Request for Proposals) and the Partnership is also supported by process consultant Anne Carroll. The Partners are committed to an open and inclusive process and will engage stakeholders at key points in the project. Learn more about engagement.
Is this related to the Twin Cities Metropolitan Council or the Saint Cloud Area Planning Organization?
No. The Partnership is a separate, independent, and voluntary collaboration among a number of communities in Sherburne and Wright counties. It has no power over individual jurisdictions and their local decisions.
How is this project relevant to me? How do I get involved?
As a resident, employee, or business owner in the region, you have a stake in and opinions about the future and how to maintain and improve the region’s high quality of life. Now that Framework 2030 is being implemented, there are multiple opportunities to contribute; learn more here.
Is Framework 2030 planning for a new bridge across the Mississippi?
Traffic congestion and mobility are a challenge for the region, and through Framework 2030 the Partners intend to learn more about those issues. While a new river crossing has been discussed and there was an early study, Framework 2030 is looking at broader planning and economic development issues throughout the region. That includes transportation and other regional issues such as land use, growth, economic development, and others.
What happened to the Highway 25 Coalition?
In mid-2019, the Highway 25 Coalition evolved into the Central Mississippi River Regional Planning Partnership with a broader focus. While transportation remains a critical factor to the region’s success, Framework 2030 is looking at broader planning and economic development issues throughout the region. That includes transportation and other regional issues such as land use, growth, economic development, and others. Learn more about the Partnership’s history.