Regional Data, Maps and Analysis Available Through East Tennessee Index Website

During the three-year planning effort known as Plan East Tennessee (PlanET) staff gathered a tremendous amount of information about the region with the intent of making that information available to the public.

MPC staff worked closely with a number of regional organizations to launch ETindex.org, a user-friendly website stocked with community facts and figures.

The goal of ETindex.org is to provide a common source of data and analysis on topics critical to the discussion, collaboration, and improvement of the region's quality of life. With a foundation based on shared information, regional leaders can work together to address challenges and build on strengths.

Want to know how tourism affects the local economy? Or the average time area workers spend getting to and from work? How about the number of days the air in the region is unhealthy?

All are examples of the nearly 90 indicators available on the ETindex.org website.

Community indicators tell the region's story by measuring strengths and challenges, and focused efforts to improve quality of life can be backed up with local data. The 87 indicators on the ETindex.org site track critical aspects of the region's economy, health, housing markets, and environment. Each measure includes a description, an analysis of trends, a chart that visually displays those trends, and data tables for the counties. Comparisons of the region to the state and nation are also available. The indicators will be updated annually.

ETindex.org was launched by the Knoxville-Knox County Metropolitan Planning Commissionand theKnoxville Regional Transportation Planning Organization, with support and advice from several local groups:

• The United Way of Greater Knoxvillebrings together community resources to improve the lives of residents by helping them achieve self-sufficiency.
• Knoxville-Oak Ridge Innovation Valleyis a regional economic development partnership managed by the Knoxville Chamber.
• Center for Business and Economic Research(CBER), a department at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, conducts research on national and state economic trends for the university, state agencies, and public and private organizations.
• Cornerstone Foundation of Knoxville, a private group whose activities are focused on the Greater Knoxville geographic area, identifies priorities and effective actions that help the area reach its full potential as a community.

To learn more about ETindex, visit www.etindex.org . If you would like to schedule a personal overview of the Index, please contact MPC staff at (865) 215-2500 or Indicators@etindex.org.

This project was developed with assistance from the Center for Governmental Research(CGR), a nonprofit research and consulting firm that has created several community indicator projects across the country.