Systems and methods for implementing an economic model predictive control (EMPC) strategy in any resource-based system include an EMPC tool. The EMPC tool is configured to present user interfaces to a client device. The EMPC tool is further configured to receive first user input including resources and subplants associated with a central plant. The EMPC tool is also configured to receive second user input including sinks and connections between central plant equipment. The EMPC tool also includes a data model extender configured to extend a data model to define new entities and/or relationships specified by user input. The EMPC tool also includes a high level EMPC algorithm configured to generate an optimization problem and an asset allocator configured to solve the resource optimization problem in order to determine optimal control decisions used to operate the central plant.