Public Hearing: 2025 Regional Economic Framework (Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy Alternative) – Community Reporter

Report on the 2025 Regional Economic Framework and Sustainable Development Goals

Introduction and Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

The Metropolitan Council has initiated a public consultation period for the draft of the 2025 Regional Economic Framework. This framework represents a critical place-based planning process designed to foster effective and sustainable economic development throughout the Twin Cities Metropolitan Region. The initiative is fundamentally aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), aiming to create a resilient, inclusive, and prosperous future for all residents.

The framework’s core objectives directly support the advancement of several key SDGs:

• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth: By promoting strategies for sustained and inclusive economic growth, the framework seeks to ensure full and productive employment and decent work for all.
• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure: The plan focuses on building resilient infrastructure and fostering innovation as cornerstones of a competitive and sustainable regional economy.
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities: The framework is integral to making the Twin Cities metropolitan area inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable by guiding economic policies that enhance community well-being.
• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals: Developed in collaboration with regional stakeholders and now open for public comment, the process exemplifies a multi-stakeholder partnership to achieve sustainable development objectives.

Public Consultation Process in Support of SDG 17

In adherence to the principles of SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals), the Metropolitan Council is holding a public hearing to ensure transparent, accountable, and inclusive decision-making. This engagement allows citizens and organizations to contribute to the region’s economic strategy, ensuring it reflects diverse community needs and priorities.

A public hearing is scheduled for Wednesday, December 3, at 4:00 p.m. during the Metropolitan Council meeting. Individuals wishing to provide commentary at the hearing are requested to pre-register by contacting public.info@metc.state.mn.us or by calling 651-602-1500.

Submission Guidelines and Timeline

Public input is valued and will be reviewed by the full Council following the comment period. All comments, feedback, and suggestions must be submitted by 5:00 p.m. on December 22, 2025. The framework is scheduled for formal adoption on February 11, 2026.

Comments may be submitted through the following channels:

1. Online Form: Complete the official submission form available on the Metropolitan Council website.
2. Email: Send written comments to public.info@metc.state.mn.us.
3. Phone: Record a verbal message at 651-602-1500 (TTY 651-221-9886).
4. Mail: Post written comments to: 390 Robert Street North, St. Paul, MN 55101-1805.

Further details regarding the Draft 2025 Regional Economic Framework are available at metrocouncil.org.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

  The article focuses on the “2025 Regional Economic Framework,” which is a planning process designed to “support effective economic development.” This directly aligns with SDG 8’s goal of promoting sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth.

• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

  The framework is described as a “regionally driven, place-based planning process” for the “Twin Cities Metropolitan Region.” This connects to SDG 11, which aims to make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable through effective planning and management.

• SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

  The article details a public consultation process, including a “public hearing” and multiple channels for submitting “public comment.” This emphasis on inclusive and participatory decision-making by a public institution (the Metropolitan Council) is a core component of SDG 16.

• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

  The framework was “developed through partnership with regional stakeholders,” and the public is now invited to provide input. This multi-stakeholder approach to development planning is central to SDG 17, which encourages partnerships between government, the private sector, and civil society.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

   • Target 8.3: Promote development-oriented policies that support productive activities, decent job creation, entrepreneurship, creativity and innovation. The entire purpose of the “Regional Economic Framework” is to create such a policy structure to foster “effective economic development.”

2. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

   • Target 11.3: By 2030, enhance inclusive and sustainable urbanization and capacity for participatory, integrated and sustainable human settlement planning and management. The article describes a participatory (public comment) and integrated (“Regional Economic Framework”) planning process for a metropolitan area.
   • Target 11.a: Support positive economic, social and environmental links between urban, peri-urban and rural areas by strengthening national and regional development planning. The creation of a “Regional Economic Framework” for the “Twin Cities Metropolitan Region” is a direct example of strengthening regional development planning.

3. SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

   • Target 16.7: Ensure responsive, inclusive, participatory and representative decision-making at all levels. The Metropolitan Council’s call for public comment through hearings, email, phone, and mail is a clear mechanism for achieving participatory and inclusive decision-making in the development of the economic framework.

4. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

   • Target 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships. The article explicitly states the framework was “developed through partnership with regional stakeholders” and is now engaging the wider public, demonstrating a multi-stakeholder partnership model.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

The article does not contain quantitative data but implies the use of process-based indicators to measure progress.

• Implied Indicator for Target 11.3 & 16.7:

  The existence of a formal structure for public participation in regional planning. The article describes this structure in detail: a scheduled “in-person public hearing,” pre-registration for speakers, and a defined “public comment period” with multiple submission methods (form, email, phone, mail). The implementation and use of this structure serve as a qualitative indicator of progress towards participatory planning.

• Implied Indicator for Target 17.17:

  The establishment and operation of multi-stakeholder partnerships. The article’s statement that the draft was “developed through partnership with regional stakeholders” indicates that such a partnership exists and is functional. The number and diversity of stakeholders involved could be a measure of this indicator.

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: communityreporter.org