A series of meetings to push for a Tay Cities Deal are to be held over the next few days.
Representatives of local business, higher and further education, the voluntary sector and chambers of commerce have been invited to attend events arranged by the councils behind the bid.
Angus, Fife, Dundee City and Perth and Kinross councils are looking to bring the project forward.
Ken Guild, leader of Dundee City Council, said: “Over the last 10 years the city council, Scottish Government and our partners have delivered a strategic infrastructure programme of transport, tourism, business and education investment in Dundee.
“This totals almost £500 million of public money which is already playing its part in transforming the city.
“The Tay Cities Deal is the next chapter and will build on the strengths of our city region, create jobs and improve economic growth in and around Dundee.”
Those attending the meetings will hear how the 500,000 people who live in the Tay Cities region can benefit from the project.
The meetings are in Dundee on Tuesday, the following day in Arbroath and in Perth on April 1.
Dundee Labour councillor Richard McCready claimed Dundee was “lagging behind” after news of the Inverness City Deal emerged and after a city deal for Edinburgh was announced.
He said: “It is not good enough that Dundee is left behind. Our city needs investment.”