Building a Stronger Knoxville Region

Scenario: To serve as a catalyst for dialogue and action among stakeholders in the eight-county Knoxville region, the Metropolitan Planning Council and Regional Transportation Planning Organization determine a common source of data and analysis on the region’s critical topics – economics, workforce, health, housing, neighborhoods and quality of life – is essential.

Challenge

1. No single, central source for the region’s economic and quality of life data exists
2. The lack of information on socioeconomic health and trends hampers regional conversations involving citizens, nonprofits, foundations and/or local governments on issues of shared concern

What CGR Delivered

Expert data collection and analytical support, encompassing:          

• Selection of nearly 90 targeted community data indicators tracking economic well-being and regional quality of life
• Online organization and presentation of data at the regional, county and community level to enable more focused analysis
• Analysis of trends in regional and community demographics, economics / workforce, education, environment / agriculture, financial well-being, health, housing / neighborhoods, quality of life and transportation
• Launch of a web portal to serve as regional platform for monitoring long-term outcomes associated with “Plan East Tennessee” effort

Result and Impact

• Go to:  www.etindex.org
• The impact of the new site:
  • informing community stakeholders
  • spurring discussion and collaboration
  • serving as foundation from which to launch projects designed to improve quality of life in the region