The Market and Coastal Towns initiative (MCTi) was devised by the South West RDA and set up with other key partners in 2000 to encourage economic, social, environmental and cultural regeneration of communities across the region.  
 
The Initiative is led and driven forward by the communities themselves and requires all those involved to think and work creatively. At the heart of the Initiative is the preparation by the community of a long-term Community Strategic Plan (CSP) covering the social, economic, environmental and cultural futures of their town and the surrounding rural areas.

In 2004, the Market and Coastal Towns Association (MCTA) was established as a new and independent organisation charged with delivering the Community Strategic Planning aspect of the Market and Coastal Towns Initiative. Supported by a range of regional organisations including the South West RDA and English Heritage, the Association supports the development of vibrant, healthy and sustainable market and coastal towns across the south west. 
 
The MCTA has been allocated over £3 million from the South West RDA to employ professional staff who will provide help and specialist services to local people and businesses embarking on the regeneration of their communities, and the development of Community Strategic Plans.  
 
An additional £15 million from the RDA may be spent on projects put forward in the plans which meet the economic objectives of the RDA. 
 
In January 2007, thirteen new towns from across South West England were formally accepted into the Market and Coastal Towns Initiative. There are now seventy-seven towns that are actively engaged with the Market and Coastal Towns Initiative within the region. 
 
Further Information  
 
Details of MCTi project may be found at the Area Teams section of this site. 
 
For further information on the MCTA: 
 
Market and Coastal Towns Association 
East Reach House 
East Reach 
Taunton 
Somerset 
TA1 3EN 
Tel: 01823 250815 
Fax: 01823 447398 
E-Mail: info@mcti.org.uk 
www.mcti.org.uk