The state's eighteen regional councils, each with an extensive information base about their own problems, resources, and governments, offer the opportunity for interjurisdictional planning and cooperation.
Over the last two decades, economic development policies have changed in the state, affected by such factors as reduced federal involvement, increased competition among states, and the impact of technology on business and manufacturing.
City and regional planning have experienced technological changes in data acquisition over the last twenty years, moving from mainframe computers to geographic information systems and the World Wide Web.