Metroplan

What Metroplan does

Metroplan is a council of local governments and the federally designated Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) for Central Arkansas, headquartered in Little Rock. Founded in 1955 as the Metropolitan Area Planning Commission of Pulaski County and reorganized under its current name in 1970, Metroplan has held MPO designation since 1972, giving it statutory responsibility for regional transportation planning across 28 cities and 5 counties covering approximately 2,458 square miles. The organization produces federally required planning products including the Long-Range Metropolitan Transportation Plan (MTP), Transportation Improvement Program (TIP), and Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP), alongside regional plans such as the Central Arkansas Regional Greenways Plan, Safety Action Plan, and the Metrotrends demographic/economic newsletter. Its technology platform is built on GIS, interactive web maps (commuting flows, freeway speeds, safety dashboard, census tracts, TIP project map), travel demand modeling, and population/employment forecasting to 2050.

Metroplan operates a non-commercial business model as a federal funding conduit and planning convener. It administers approximately $17 million annually in Surface Transportation Block Grant (STBG) and Carbon Reduction Program (CRP) funds routed through ARDOT, $1.7 million in Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) awards, Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) safety funding, and a $49.25 million Central Arkansas allocation from the EPA's $99,999,999 Climate Pollution Reduction Grant, for which Metroplan serves as lead agency of the Arkansas Tri-Region CPRG Coalition. The organization distributes these funds through competitive calls for projects to member jurisdictions and provides direct technical assistance, GIS analysis, model ordinances, and planning support. Core products include planning documents (MTP, TIP, UPWP, Greenways Plan, Safety Action Plan), data tools (Metrotrends, interactive maps), policy templates (Model Ordinances, Unified Development Ordinance), and design standards (CARTS Multimodal Guidelines).

The customer base consists of 28 city and 5 county member jurisdictions, with adjacent user segments comprising Central Arkansas residents, environmental sustainability partners, and community development stakeholders. Partnerships are extensive and include ARDOT, Rock Region METRO, Clinton National Airport, the Port of Little Rock, the Northwest Arkansas Regional Planning Commission (NWARPC), the City of Fort Smith, EPA, FHWA, the Arkansas Department of Energy and Environment, the Arkansas Advanced Energy Foundation, and the Mid-Arkansas Water Alliance (MAWA), for which Metroplan serves as secretariat. The organization employs 11-50 staff and is governed by a Board of Directors composed of local mayors, county judges, and key partner agencies, currently led by Executive Director Casey Covington (named in 2023 as the organization's 5th executive director).

Name

Metroplan

Legal name

Metroplan

Website

https://metroplan.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1955

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Metroplan is a council of local governments and federally designated Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) for Central Arkansas, coordinating regional transportation planning and administering federal grants for 28 cities and 5 counties. It produces long-range transportation plans, safety action plans, GIS tools, and competitive grant programs for member jurisdictions.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Regional Transportation Planning

NAICS

Regulation and Administration of Transportation Programs (926120), Regulation and Administration of Transportation Programs (92612), Urban Transit Systems (48511), Bus and Other Motor Vehicle Transit Systems (485113), Administration of Housing Programs, Urban Planning, and Community Development (925)

SIC

Transportation Services (4700), Local & Suburban Transit & Interurban Hwy Passenger Trans (4100)

akta.pro primary industry

Urban & Regional Planning (Land Use, Zoning, Master Planning) (BPAIANAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Public Transit Agencies (Bus, Rail, Metro, Paratransit) (BPAIALAB), Regional & Land Use Planning (BPAHAKAE), Urban Planning & Master Planning (BPAHAKAD)

Keywords

• Regional transportation planning
• Metropolitan planning organization
• Federal grant administration
• Multimodal infrastructure design
• Community development planning

Headquarters

HQ city

Little Rock

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Federal Transportation Funding: Metroplan receives federal Surface Transportation Block Grant (STBG) and Carbon Reduction Program (CRP) funds from ARDOT, which are then distributed to local governments through competitive grants. Annual allocations in the $17 million range.
2. Climate Pollution Reduction Grant (CPRG): EPA-funded grant for Energy and Environment Innovation. Total funding of $99,999,999 with Central Arkansas receiving $49,250,000 as lead agency for the Arkansas Tri-Region CPRG Coalition.
3. Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP): Federal TAP funds administered by Metroplan for bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure, multimodal safety, and intersection improvements. $1.7 million awarded to six projects in 2026.
4. Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A): Federal safety grant funding for safety action plans and road safety audits across Central Arkansas jurisdictions.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Metroplan coordinates regional transportation planning and community development for 28 cities and 5 counties in Central Arkansas as the federally designated Metropolitan Planning Organization. It produces federally required planning documents, administers $17M+ in annual federal transportation grants plus $49.25M in CPRG climate funding, conducts demographic and economic research through Metrotrends, issues model ordinances for zoning and development, and provides technical assistance to member jurisdictions on transportation, safety, and sustainability projects.

Product overview

Metroplan operates as a Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) offering a suite of interconnected planning services and grant programs for Central Arkansas. The core portfolio includes federally required planning documents (MTP, TIP, UPWP), regional plans (Greenways Plan, Safety Action Plan), and data platforms (Metrotrends). These are supplemented by model policy tools (Unified Development Ordinance, Model Ordinances) and substantial federal grant programs (CPRG, TAP, STBG) totaling tens of millions in annual funding for transportation, sustainability, and infrastructure projects. The organization also publishes multimodal design guidelines and maintains interactive mapping tools for data visualization.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Long-Range Metropolitan Transportation Plan (MTP) Federally required comprehensive transportation planning document that sets priorities for the region's transportation needs through 2050, establishing goals for safety, mobility, and multimodal connectivity.
• Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) Five-year to-do list for transportation projects covering road work, bike lanes, pedestrian paths, and other upgrades in Central Arkansas.
• Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP) Biennial planning document outlining transportation planning activities and budgets for Metroplan, ARDOT, and Rock Region METRO.
• Central Arkansas Regional Greenways Plan Regional plan for developing multi-use trail infrastructure connecting communities across Central Arkansas with a Board commitment of $55 million over 10 years.
• Central Arkansas Safety Action Plan Plan adopted to prevent roadway fatalities and serious injuries, including county-level supplements and road safety audits.
• Metrotrends Biannual newsletter providing demographic and economic data, analysis, and trends for Central Arkansas communities.
• Model Ordinances Standardized policy templates and sample language that local governments can adopt for zoning, environmental protections, and development standards.
• Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) Model zoning and subdivision code merging regulations into a single guide with purpose-based zoning names and connectivity rules.
• Energy and Environment Innovation (EEI) Comprehensive Action Plan Regional plan analyzing five measures to strengthen Central Arkansas' economy and improve air quality through active transportation, energy savings, recycling, infill development, and EV charging.
• Climate Pollution Reduction Grant (CPRG) Programs $49.25 million funding programs including Green Networks (land conservation, tree planting, trail construction), Transportation Efficiency (EV rebates, LED streetlights), and Building Efficiency (energy savings performance contracting).
• Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) Federal funding program supporting pedestrian and bicycle facilities, safe routes to school, recreational trails, and accessibility improvements for non-drivers, with $1.7 million awarded to six projects in 2026.
• Surface Transportation Block Grant (STBG/Carbon Reduction Program) Annual grant program distributing approximately $17 million in federal transportation funds from ARDOT for roadway improvements, multimodal infrastructure, and active transportation projects.
• CARTS Multimodal Guidelines Infrastructure design guidelines establishing corridor types and standards for streets accommodating pedestrians, bicyclists, transit users, and vehicles.
• Interactive Maps and GIS Tools Collection of interactive web maps including Regional Greenways, Commuting Flows, Safety Dashboard, Census Tracts, and TIP Project Map.
• Arkansas Tri-Region E-Bike Incentive Program Point-of-sale rebate program distributing e-bike vouchers (5,844+ vouchers) through participating bike retailers in partnership with NWARPC and City of Fort Smith.

Quantifiable outcome

• Central Arkansas ranked 2nd among 100 largest U.S. urbanized areas for daily vehicle-miles traveled per capita at 38.0 miles
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers13 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Arkansas Department of Transportation (ARDOT)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMetroplan works closely with ARDOT as the state department of transportation. ARDOT routes federal STBG/CRP funds to Metroplan and Metroplan coordinates transportation planning with ARDOT for the CARTS region. Projects require ARDOT oversight during construction or planning phases.
• Rock Region METROcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCentral Arkansas' public transit system providing bus, streetcar, paratransit, and microtransit services. Rock Region METRO is a partner in the Ozone Action Days program and represented on Metroplan Board of Directors.
• Clinton National AirportcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerClinton National Airport (LIT) is a partner agency represented on Metroplan Board of Directors. Receives $7,750,000 CPRG funding for geothermal Central Utility Plant facility construction.
• Port of Little RockcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPort of Little Rock (Little Rock Port Authority) is represented on Metroplan Board of Directors, bringing port and logistics infrastructure perspective to regional planning.
• Northwest Arkansas Regional Planning Commission (NWARPC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-partner in Arkansas Tri-Region CPRG Coalition. NWARPC received $440,000 subaward for regional supplement to statewide EEI plan and partners on the E-Bike Incentive Program distributing 5,844+ vouchers across both regions.
• City of Fort SmithcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Arkansas Tri-Region CPRG Coalition for the Energy and Environment Innovation program. City of Fort Smith received $440,000 subaward for regional supplement to statewide EEI plan.
• Arkansas Department of Energy and EnvironmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState agency that received the $3,000,000 CPRG planning grant from EPA. Metroplan collaborates with this agency on Energy and Environment Innovation planning, receiving $440,000 subaward.
• Mid-Arkansas Water Alliance (MAWA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCooperative effort of 27 water utilities in 7 central Arkansas counties. Metroplan serves as the secretariat for MAWA, helping ensure abundant, reliable water supply for Arkansas communities.
• Arkansas Department of Environmental QualityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerState agency partner in the Ozone Action Days program, working to increase public awareness of ozone-related health risks.
• Arkansas Department of HealthminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerState agency partner in the Ozone Action Days program for public health awareness.
• Arkansas Advanced Energy FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerManages C-PACE Revolving Loan Fund ($3,500,000 allocation) and SkillStream workforce development program ($1,055,021) under EEI funding.
• APTIMminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerAdministrative support partner for the Arkansas Tri-Region E-Bike Incentive Program.

Scale indicators15 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Northwest Arkansas Regional Planning Commission (NWARPC): Federally designated MPO for Northwest Arkansas, directly comparable as a regional planning organization with similar federal funding administration responsibilities. NWARPC is an explicit Metroplan partner in the Arkansas Tri-Region CPRG Coalition and e-bike incentive program.
• Memphis Urban Area Metropolitan Planning Organization: Federally designated MPO for the Memphis urbanized area, comparable in scale and function to Metroplan. Operates with similar federal STBG/TAP/CMAQ funding administration responsibilities for a mid-sized Southern metropolitan area.
• East-West Gateway Council of Governments: MPO and council of local governments for the St. Louis region, comparable as a multi-jurisdictional planning body administering federal transportation funds across counties in a bi-state metropolitan area. Similar governance structure combining local elected officials with modal partners.
• Mid-America Regional Council (MARC): MPO and association of local governments for the Kansas City region, comparable to Metroplan in serving as the federally designated planning organization for a mid-sized Heartland metropolitan area with similar urban-to-suburban commuting patterns.
• Indianapolis Metropolitan Planning Organization: Federally designated MPO for Central Indiana, comparable as a regional planning organization administering federal transportation funds across multiple counties and municipalities in a mid-sized Midwestern/Southern metropolitan context.

Broad incumbents

• Denver Regional Council of Governments (DRCOG): MPO and council of governments for the Denver region, comparable in function but substantially larger. Administers federal transportation funding across a broader and more populous metro, often setting methodological precedents that smaller MPOs like Metroplan adopt.
• Puget Sound Regional Council (PSRC): MPO for the greater Seattle region, comparable in federally designated MPO role but operating at significantly larger scale. Sets standards for regional growth strategy, transportation planning, and data analytics that inform peer MPO practice nationwide.
• Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC): MPO and regional planning agency for the 10-county Atlanta region, comparable in core MPO function but operating at much larger scale. Administers a comparable portfolio of federal transportation grants, climate programs, and regional planning initiatives.

Others

• Fehr & Peers: Transportation planning and engineering consulting firm that provides technical services comparable to Metroplan's transportation modeling, traffic analysis, and safety work. Often a contractor to MPOs and a competitor for specialized planning consulting engagements.
• Cambridge Systematics: Transportation planning and economics consultancy that supports MPOs, state DOTs, and federal agencies with travel demand modeling, freight planning, and policy analysis — work adjacent to Metroplan's CARTS study, MTP, and data analytics functions.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/metroplan.centralark
• Instagraminstagram.com/metroplan_centralark
• Xx.com/metroplan

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles15 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Metroplan