Mid-Michigan's tri-county region includes a wide variety of urban and rural communities with varying needs and development patterns. Tri-County's planning approaches work to understand the impacts and find a balance of urban growth and rural preservation. 

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Tri-County fulfills an important statutory requirement under Public Act 451 of 1994 (formerly PA 116) for the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development’s Farmland and Open Space Preservation Program. Staff reviews eligibility requirements of landowners’ applications for Farmland Development Rights Agreements.  The program helps landowners receive tax benefits when they work to preserve land for agriculture that ensures the sustainability of our food resources.

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Tri-County also maintains a regional inventory of land use and master plans for better coordination and collaboration across jurisdictional boundary lines. As the state-designated Regional Clearinghouse for the Greater Lansing area, we review jurisdictions' plans for alignment with best practices and urban and rural development standards set for the region, many of which are outlined in our vision for regional growth.