Hafa Adai and Tirow
Welcome to the official website of the CNMI Office of Planning and Development. Thank you, Si Yu’us Ma’ase, and Ghilisow for visiting. We know you will find many resources here that will help you understand where we will move the Commonwealth forward.
The management of our economy is undoubtedly the most important priority of our Commonwealth, and it requires a comprehensive community approach from our homes and villages to our private sector and federal partners. In a collaborative effort with our community leaders through the Office of Planning and Development, we intend to create a better Commonwealth that is reflective of the goals, dreams, and aspirations of the people who call these beautiful islands home.
OPD seeks to work with corporate leaders, small business owners, nonprofit organizations, and community interest groups that share a common goal of positive and sustainable economic development for the Marianas through market diversification, improved infrastructure, and an educated workforce. We believe that this strategy presents a collective vision that will make our economy stronger and more resilient for the future especially following Super Typhoon Yutu.
Our community has expressed their desire for greater adaptation to a more globalized world, climate change, and economic forces outside of our control. We understand as a community that economic viability in the CNMI is an ongoing struggle with limitations and externalities, but we remain optimistic that diversifying our economy and recreating our policy approach will yield a higher standard of living for our people in the years to come.
We extend our gratitude to the countless individuals and groups within our community for contributing their time and service to working with OPD. Together, we will create a safer, healthier, and more vibrant community for the Marianas.
The Office of Planning and Development (OPD) is mandated to:
- Improve planning in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) to increase the effectiveness of government and private actions as well as coordination among different agencies and levels of government to guide growth of the CNMI, working with the Planning and Development Advisory Council (PDAC) and other partners;
- Establish a CNMI Comprehensive Sustainable Development Plan (CSDP) that shall serve as a guide for future long-range development using and improving on existing plans, maps, and other resources;
- Serve as a clearinghouse for all information related to development, planning, and resource use in CNMI; to identify objectives, policies, and priorities for the CNMI;
- Provide a basis for determining priorities and allocating resources; and
- Establish a system for plan formulation and program coordination to provide for an integration of all major CNMI and individual island activities.
- Click on the links to learn more about OPD’s Mission and Mandates as well as Functions and Duties, CSDP Contents, and Planning Milestones.
P.L. 20-20’s COMPREHENSIVE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT PLANNING PROCESS
GATHER DATA
The Planning and Development Advisory Council (PDAC) and
partners support data collection and review to create a
“baseline assessment” of the existing state of the resources.
Taskforces and report sections focus on (i) natural resources,
(ii) the built environment, and (iii) socio-economic and
disaster risk reduction planning.
Gathering and centralizing data to support more efficient
planning and project implementation is a mandate of P.L. 20-20
§ 20174(g).
ASSESS
The PDAC and partners support review of data. Additional
information is sought to identify data gaps and discuss
observed trends. Categories assessed for plan include:
Land use, community design, transportation, public facilities,
public lands, public buildings, housing, redevelopment,
conservation, recreation, safety, tourism, development policy,
capital improvements, labor work force, specific policies, and
other elements which relate to the physical development of
CNMI.
(P.L. 20-20 § 20176 (a) – (r))
ENVISION
OPD leads “comprehensive sustainable” visioning and plan creation efforts to establish short and long-range guidance for economic, infrastructure, and physical development consistent with proper protection to enhance the quality of the environment and preserve the CNMI’s natural beauty and historical heritage. (P.L. 20-20 § 20173(a))
ACHIEVE
Emphasis will be placed on the continuing nature of the comprehensive plan program rather than a final completion of a single plan. (P.L. 20-20 § 20177)
Plan Implementation and Financing. The Comprehensive Sustainable Development Plan shall contain a schedule of programs and projects to be implemented annually. Funding for such programs and projects shall be identified in the Plan by the project’s or program’s principal or administering government agency or instrumentalities. (P.L. 20-20 § 20182)