The North Central Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission's (NCWRPC) Regional Master Plan - the Regional Comprehensive Plan (RPC) - was adopted on December 10, 2003. According to state statute 66.0309(8), (9), and (10); all regional planning commissions are required to prepare a master plan for their region. The comprehensive plan must incorporate the required elements outlined in Section 66.1001 of Wisconsin Statutes.

This is the first regional plan created in Wisconsin under the 66.1001 planning law.

In 1981, NCWRPC adopted its original master plan called the "Framework for Regional Development." In 1998 the decision was made to update that plan and create the Regional Comprehensive Plan. This plan, much like the 1981 plan, is designed as an advisory document for local units of governments to use in the development of their own plans.