Through a review of best practices in planning and economic development for sustainable communities the partner will obtain background information on how to move forward strategically with implementing the Green Business Transformation Project. A comparison of existing planning policies in South Simcoe at the provincial, regional and local level with sustainable community models provides Nottawasaga Futures with a menu of options to move towards more sustainable communities. Sustainable communities are connected, liveable, compact, and complete providing employment, recreation, a choice of housing and community services. The final report will provide a vehicle for communicating policy barriers to local governments and provide best practices of sustainable community planning for small towns and business that can be repeated in South Simcoe.