Regional Councils

1
Regional Councils

• Generic PowerPoint Presentation on Regional
  Councils
• The purpose of this PowerPoint is to assist in
  ensuring a consistent description and explanation
  of regional councils. This PowerPoint
  presentation has been written in a generic format
  so that anyone, regardless of what state, can,
  with a PowerPoint, provide an explanation of a
  regional council and what it does and does not
  do, who owns it, and what other regional councils
  within a state do. This template has been
  designed to enhance oral presentations.
• Please recognize that this is meant to be a
  format to help make it easier for those who like
  to use PowerPoint presentations to fit their
  need. Realize that there are large, medium, and
  small regional councils and urban, non-metro, and
  rural regions which will require their own unique
  format.
• An integral part of this presentation would be a
  map of your state and the regional councils
  regions, and the map of the United States
  displaying the network of regional councils
  throughout the United States.

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Regional Council of(insert Council name)

• Serving the (insert ) Counties and
• (insert ) Cities of (insert Council location)

Suggestion This area could be used to list the
individual counties and corresponding cities that
are served by the Regional Council. Also an
ideal location to showcase the Regional Council
office by including a picture of its location.
3
IntroductionProvides general overview of
Regional Council

• Thank you for your interest in learning about the
  many ways that the (insert Regional Council name)
  can be utilized to assist and provide services to
  local and county governments, as well as state
  and federal agencies. This presentation will
  outline the kinds of services, programs, and
  projects that can be provided by the Regional
  Council to their member local governments in a
  very cost-effective manner. The (insert Regional
  Council name) has been in operation since (insert
  date RC originated) and has been serving (insert
  name of State) cities and counties for more than
  (insert ) years.
• Regional Councils have proven their value to
  their regions and to the state, representing not
  only local governments, but working with state
  and federal agencies by providing local
  governments with various kinds of technical and
  professional expertise. In some instances, local
  governments have not had the professional staff
  to deal with technical matters. In other cases,
  there are regional issues that affect several
  counties, not only through each Regional Council,
  but also among various Regional Councils
  collectively. When these instances occur,
  Regional Councils work together on statewide
  projects for the betterment of (insert State).
• We hope that once you have reviewed this
  presentation and have a better understanding of
  Regional Councils and what they do, that you will
  see how important a role a Regional Council can
  play in helping state and programs/services
  funded by the federal government work with their
  local jurisdictions for the betterment of (insert
  State) and its citizens.

4

• As you review this presentation, you will find
  selections
• Describing the types of programs and activities
  that the (insert Regional Council name) is
  involved in on behalf of their member
  governments
• Answering some of the most frequently asked
  questions about Regional Councils
• Defining many of the terms common to (insert
  Regional Council name).
• It is impossible to provide an exhaustive list of
  all the services that Regional Councils are
  capable of providing in a very cost- effective
  manner. To discuss further any programs or
  opportunities that may benefit the governments or
  citizens of (insert Regional Council area),
  please contact (insert contact information).

Suggestion Insert photo of the Regional
Councils Executive Director
Executive Directors Name Regional Council
Name Regional Council Address Regional Council
Address Regional Council Phone Number
5
Insert name of Regional Council
Suggestion Insert photo of the Regional
Councils Office location

• Presentation Topics
• (Insert name of Regional Council)
• This section will be relative to the local
  Regional Council
• What is a Regional Council?
• Frequently Asked Questions
• (Insert States Name) Regional Councils
• Regional Councils at Work
• Glossary

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Insert name of Regional Council
Suggestion Insert photo of map outlining the
Regional Councils region

• Highlight the Regional Council with a paragraph
  including year of origination, names of cities
  and counties served, and state boundary
  information. Also include approximate square
  footage of region and population information as
  well as other significant information about the
  council.

• OVERVIEW OF (insert Regional Council name)
  PROGRAMS AND PROJECTS
• Planning Government Services
• Assists cities and counties with land use
  planning and related activities including
  comprehensive plans, zoning ordinances,
  subdivision regulations, solid waste management
  plans, and Short Term Work Program (STWP) updates
  to local comprehensive plans and solid waste
  management plans.
• Prepare Regional Plan and is also responsible for
  other regional functions, including reviewing
  local government comprehensive plans, solid waste
  management plans and the Developments of Regional
  Impact (DRIs).
• Assists with updates/development of personnel
  policies and employee handbooks.

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Overview of (insert Regional Council name)
Programs and Projects

• Economic Development
• Assists local governments, development
  authorities, and others as requested. Prepares
  and annually updates the regional economic
  development program and the economic development
  portion of the Regional Plan.
• Prepares Comprehensive Economic Development
  Strategy (CEDS) for the (insert ) county region
  to identify plans and opportunities for economic
  growth.
• Obtains grant funding for city and county
  infrastructure improvements and expansion, such
  as water and sewer lines.
• Transportation
• Provides a variety of services to the (insert
  state) Department of Transportation (DOT) with
  regard to transportation planning and system
  development. This includes providing accurate
  maps of transportation facilities (roads, bicycle
  facilities, etc.), and mapping road centerlines
  to update existing road databases to be
  integrates with DOTs current road database using
  Global Positioning Systems (GPS).
• Assists with environmental review of proposed
  transportation facilities, provides outreach
  services by explaining DOT programs and grant
  opportunities to local governments, etc., and
  helps prepare for the annual public involvement
  meetings.

Suggestion Insert photos of Economic Development
and Transportation projects relative to the
Regional Council
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Overview of (insert Regional Council name)
Programs and Projects

• Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
• Supports planning efforts and assists local
  governments in preparing maps that identify such
  features as parcel mapping, zoning mapping,
  floodplain assessment and mapping, wetland
  delineation and mapping, land use mapping-future
  and current- historic site mapping, resource
  mapping, various business and environmental
  modeling, transportation analyses, water plan
  development, comprehensive planning mapping,
  community facilities mapping, utilities mapping,
  social, economic, and population mapping,
  redistricting of electoral boundaries, and data
  collection using Global Positioning System (GPS).
• Grants
• Assists local governments with the preparation of
  grant applications for funds available from state
  and federal agencies. Examples of grants
  include List grant opportunities available in
  your state.
• Water Resource Planning
• List any projects relative to Water Resource
  Planning. Also highlight any assistance provided
  to the Department of Natural Resources in your
  state (DNR), and The Environmental Protection
  Division (EPD)
• Historic Preservation
• The (insert Regional Council name) assists local
  governments, historic preservation groups, and
  others in the development of historic
  preservation sections of local and regional plans
  and historic surveys.

Suggestion If your organization has a Historic
Preservation Advisory Council, use this space to
list when the council meets
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Overview of (insert Regional Council name)
Programs and Projects

• Public Administration and Management
• Provides training and education to local elected
  officials and planning commission members on
  various topics.
• List any training opportunities offered by the
  Regional Council that are beneficial to the
  region served by the Regional Council.

• Aging Services
• The Area Agency on Aging (AAA) plans and
  administers programs designed to improve the
  quality of life for area senior citizens. A
  comprehensive Information and Assistance Program
  provides referrals to appropriate aging services
  in the region via a toll-free number to maximize
  access to resources in the community.
• Through a network of (insert ) contractors, the
  AAA fosters a comprehensive, coordinated service
  delivery system that promotes independence and
  reduces isolation of the regions area older
  adults.
• Program Development
• Funding is provided through the Older Americans
  Act, Social Services Block Grant, Title XIX of
  Social Security Act, and Community Based Services
  grants. These monies are contracted with a
  network of cities, counties, and social service
  organizations for services such as
  Transportation, Adult Day Care, Homemaker
  Services, Congregate Meals, Home Delivered Meals,
  Elder Abuse Prevention, Long-Term Care Ombudsman,
  Community Care Services Program, Elder Legal
  Assistance Program, Personal Care Caregiver
  Assistance Program, In-Home Respite, and insert
  any services or organizations relative to your
  region.

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Overview of (insert Regional Council name)
Programs Projects

• Emergency Preparedness
• Collaborates with local (insert state) Emergency
  Management Agencies to address issues of
  importance in the event of natural and/or manmade
  disasters, with a particular emphasis on disabled
  and special needs population.
• Nutrition Risk Reduction Program
• Participates in wellness fairs, providing an
  easily accessible opportunity to promote the
  positive effects of good nutrition, ascertaining
  the nutritional status of older adults, and
  measuring the impact of nutrition counseling
  intervention.
• Coordinated Transportation
• Contracts with the Department of Human Resources
  to provide quality and cost-effective
  transportation to eligible DHR customers for the
  Division of Aging Services, Department of Family
  and Children Services, Mental Health, Development
  Disabilities and Addictive Diseases, Public
  Health and Rehabilitation Services. DHR
  coordinated transportation operates across
  divisional lines and eliminates duplicated
  transportation, and promotes a more efficient and
  effective use of DHRs fleet of vehicles.

Suggestion Use this space to showcase photos of
transportation vehicles, senior citizens, etc.
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Overview of (insert Regional Council name)
Programs Projects

• Tourism
• Assists local governments and local convention
  and visitors bureaus with information to support
  their tourism efforts.
• Use the following space to showcase brochures /
  pamphlets that your Regional Council has
  published relative to your region.
• Insert brochure name synopsis
• Insert brochure name synopsis
• Insert brochure name synopsis
• Insert brochure name synopsis.

Suggestion Use this space to showcase photos
featured on publications or brochures that the
Regional Council has produced.
12
ExampleRegional Council Organization Chart
13
Example Regional Council Board of
DirectorsOrganization Chart
14
Outstanding Accomplishments

• Use this section to list significant
  accomplishments, awards, etc. that the Regional
  Council has received.
• Suggestion
• List accomplishments in chronological order by
  the year received.

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What is a Regional Council?

• Regional Councils are multi-county planning and
  development agencies serving municipal and county
  governments in different areas of a state.
• In most states, boundaries of these regional
  organizations are determined by the state based
  on a variety of criteria, i.e., similarities
  among local governments, the presence of a
  growth center, and a population mass to support
  the regional organization. Regional Councils
  provide their member governments with an economy
  of scale and a proven track record, while also
  promoting regional cooperation among local
  governments.
• Regional Councils are excellent resources for
  local governments, businesses, communities and
  individual citizens. They have
• Extensive expertise in federal and state programs
  and grants-in-aid.
• Strong direct public policy and fiscal
  accountability to local governments.
• Established capacity to provide technical
  assistance to local and state agencies.
• Capacity to operate Geographic Information
  Systems.
• A strong track record in developing
  public/private/civic/non-profit partnerships.
• Expertise in the establishment and promotion of a
  group consensus.
• Experience in developing long-term strategies on
  local and regional issues.
• Capacity to create a neutral table for cities
  and counties to meet and discuss problems and
  issues affecting the region.
• Ability to provide conflict resolution between
  local governments in ways that achieve the
  objectives of each.

• Regional Councils
• Quasi-governmental
• Multi-county planning/development agencies
• Serve municipal and county governments
• Coordinate with other agencies to provide
  services
• Regional Planning Organizations (RPOs)
• Active in Most States
• May be Called
• Area Development Districts
• Business Development Corporations
• Councils of Government
• Economic Development Commissions
• Regional Planning Commissions
• Activities may Include
• Comprehensive Planning

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What is a Regional Council?Related Agencies
Regional planning organizations, regardless of
their name, can turn to a variety of
organizations for support, promotion,
professional development, representation and
other services. A few of the organizations that
(insert state) Regional Council interacts with
are Use this area to highlight agencies that
the Regional Council is directly associated with.
Customize to coincide with the Regional Council
including your state name. Examples include

• Department of Community Affairs (DCA) State
  department charged with coordination and partial
  funding of (insert state) Regional Councils
  mandate for regional planning.
• Department of Economic Development State
  Department charged with increasing economic
  development and tourism in the state.
• Department of Human Resources, Division of Aging
  Services (DHR) Agency that is designated by the
  U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
  Administration on Aging as the state unit on
  aging, responsible for the administration of the
  Older Americans Act and other federal and state
  funding for services for elderly citizens and
  their caregivers.
• Emergency Management Agency (EMA) Lead state
  agency for coordination of emergency and disaster
  response activities. EMAs mission is to provide
  a comprehensive and aggressive emergency
  preparedness, response, and recovery program for
  the citizens of (insert state) in order to save
  lives, protect property, and reduce the effects
  of disasters.
• Department of Natural Resources (DNR) State
  Department responsible for sustaining, enhancing,
  protecting and conserving (insert state) natural,
  historic and cultural resources through the
  following divisions (list divisions)
• Department of Transportation State department
  that plans, constructs, maintains and improves
  the states roads and bridges provides planning
  and financial support for other modes of
  transportation such as mass transit and airports
  provides airport and air safety planning
  provides air travel to state departments

• Federal Emergency Management Agency
• (FEMA) Former independent agency that became
• part of the new Department of Homeland Security
• in March 2003 and is tasked with responding to,
  planning
• for, recovering from and mitigating against
  disasters.
• Economic Development Administration (EDA) Federal
• economic development agency providing funding for
• economic development projects in economically
• distressed areas and administrative funds for
  Economic
• Development Districts.
• National Association of Development Organizations
• (NADO) Public interest group that provides
  training,
• information and representation for regional
  development
• organizations in small metropolitan areas and
  rural
• America. Advocates a regional approach to
  community,
• economic and rural development and provides a
  network
• for members to share ideas and innovations.

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Frequently Asked Questions

• This section provides a capsule description of
  what Regional Councils are and what they do by
  answering the questions most often asked by the
  public, such as
• What is a Regional Council?
• Who serves on the directing boards of Regional
  Councils?
• How were (insert state) Regional Councils
  created?
• Do Regional Councils constitute a separate layer
  of government?
• How are Regional Councils funded?
• Who determines the Regional Councils program of
  work?
• What types of contracts do Regional Councils
  receive and from what types of agencies?
• Do other states have Regional Councils?

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Frequently Asked Questions

• What is a Regional Council?
• A Regional Council is a multi-county planning
  and development organization that partners with
  local governments in their planning and
  development efforts and can also serve as a
  service delivery organization. Regional
  Councils often constitute the local and regional
  layers of (insert state) bottom-up planning
  philosophy. Regional Councils are owned and
  operated by the local governments that they
  serve.
• Who serves on the directing boards of Regional
  Councils?
• Insert information on your states law regarding
  Regional Council board membership. Include how
  board members are appointed, how many members are
  from each county. Also include any members from
  outside organizations.
• How were (insert state) Regional Councils
  created?
• Insert information on how Regional Councils in
  your state were created. Include any laws that
  were passed relevant to Regional Councils and how
  they are constituted
• Do Regional Councils constitute a separate layer
  of government?
• No. By definition, Regional Councils are
  organizations created to serve their member local
  governments. They depend on a variety of funding
  sources and have no taxing, legislative or
  regulatory authority.
• How are Regional Councils funded?
• Regional Councils are funded by per capita dues
  from their member local governments. These funds
  then become seed funds often used to multiply
  available resources by matching federal and state
  contract funds. Some Regional Councils generate
  additional funds through user fees for
  preparation and administration of some grants and
  special projects.

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Frequently Asked Questions

• Who determines the Regional Councils program of
  work?
• While local units of government are the driving
  entities of each Regional Councils program of
  work, a Regional Council is often mandated to
  carry out certain efforts in order to receive
  federal and state funds. Local governments
  determine the final program of work by approving
  a slate of projects and programs that include
  locally requested projects as well as these state
  and federal programs. An Annual Work Program is
  adopted by the Regional Councils Board of
  Directors in concert with the annual budget.
• What types of contracts do Regional Councils
  receive and from what types of agencies?
• A primary function of Regional Councils is to
  create partnerships between state and federal
  agencies for funds that benefit the member local
  governments. The following are a few examples of
  some existing partnerships
• List partnerships
• Do other states have Regional Councils?
• According to the National Association of
  Development Organizations (NADO) and the National
  Association of Regional Councils (NARC), there
  are more than 500 regional planning and
  development organizations operating under a
  variety of different names in 47 states.

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(Insert state) Regional Councils

• (Insert state) Regional Councils are regional
  planning organizations created and managed under
  (insert state) law by their member local
  governments. (Insert state) Regional Councils
  perform many functions, but essentially develop,
  promote, and provide comprehensive planning and
  development services that seek to make (insert
  state) and its many local communities better
  places to live and work. They provide
  professional technical assistance to state and
  federal agencies as well as to local governments
  in advancing quality growth and development.
• Regional Councils strengthen the individual and
  collective capabilities of member local
  governments while helping advance essential
  public interests of the state. The Regional
  Councils help plan and implement, guide and
  direct, provide a regional forum and a regional
  conduit, recognize and resolve both local and
  regional problems, and help point out regional
  opportunities as well as matters of mutual
  concern.
• In (insert state), (insert ) Regional Councils
  serve regions that share similar economic,
  physical and social characteristics. Insert
  information relative to your regional council.
• (insert state) Regional Councils provide services
  in the areas of planning and land-use
  development, grant writing and administration,
  economic development, historic preservation, and
  geographic information systems development and
  implementation to member jurisdictions within
  each region.

Include a bulleted list of Regional Councils in
your state. Suggestion Include a map of
your state depicting the Regional Councils
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• Additionally, Regional Councils also serve as the
  state-designated Area Agency on Aging for their
  respective planning and service areas. In this
  capacity, the Regional Councils AAA works with
  local providers to ensure that services for the
  elderly, disabled and/or caregivers are provided
  and monitored throughout the year. AAAs
  Information and Assistance service connects older
  adults and/or their caregivers with available
  resources to assist them in living independently
  in the community. AAAs are the Gateway to
  Community Resources. Most AAAs operate a
  toll-free telephone number to maximize access to
  resources in the community. Specific services
  are provided in designated areas of the region as
  a result of public input and surveys, and
  according to the need within an area (i.e.
  waiting list information). Services are provided
  directly by Regional Council staff or indirectly
  via contracts with various counties and/or public
  and private agencies.
• Several of the states Regional Councils also
  operate Certified Development Companies. Through
  this arrangement, the development companies make
  loans to small and start-up businesses for the
  purposes of creating and retaining jobs,
  generating private investment, and facilitating
  economic development opportunities within the
  Regional Councils service area. This is done
  through partnerships with local banks and federal
  agencies such as the Small Business
  Administration.
• In the past, the Regional Councils services and
  abilities were primarily used by local government
  jurisdictions. However, partnerships with
  private-sector industries and businesses now
  commonly assist with projects that achieve the
  organizations primary mission to provide
  planning, management and information services to
  its members in a professional, ethical,
  cost-effective and efficient manner and to serve
  as a forum for addressing local government needs.
• State legislation / statute that established the
  Regional Council in your state (summarize if
  appropriate).

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(Insert state) Regional Councils at Work

• Common Projects
• All of (insert state) Regional Councils provide
  local and regional comprehensive and economic
  development planning service, and most provide
  specialized planning services in transportation,
  water resource, historic preservation, aging
  services development and coordination, and
  workforce development on a local or regional
  basis. All Regional Councils provide
  implementation assistance in the form of project
  development, grant writing and grant
  administration services, and technical assistance
  as needed for the day-to-day administration and
  management of local government services.
  Geographic Information Services are provided by
  all Regional Councils and they are a leading
  force in assisting (insert state) in establishing
  a common database and developing precise
  electronic maps. These efforts have facilitated
  Regional Council efforts for extending this
  technology to the local level.
• Agencies / Organizations in Partnership
• (insert state) Regional Councils primarily work
  with (insert state) numerous city and county
  governments, and the (insert state) Department of
  Community Affairs and its divisions and offices,
  to advance coordinated comprehensive planning and
  economic and community development. While this
  primary function is critical, Regional Councils
  are not limited to specific state, local, or
  other agencies as partners. Regional Councils
  work with chambers of commerce, development
  authorities, recreation departments, and school
  boards, area colleges and universities, as well
  as historical societies and other local
  non-profit agencies to build the critical
  partnerships that will make a difference to the
  regional community they serve. List other
  agencies that the Regional Council partners with.

Primary Benefits and Advantages of Regional
Councils Regional Councils are principally
successful because of local ownership by their
member local governments. Regional Councils
provide technical assistance in a wide and
diverse area of topics, using a comprehensive
pool of professional staff, a staff which most
(insert state) local governments could not
provide on their own. The Regional Councils are
able to provide a regional forum for resolution
of local problems while providing a means to
recognize and resolve regional challenges. The
Regional Councils also provide important liaison
functions to and for state and federal agencies,
a quick point of contact to the more than (insert
) local governments in (insert state), and the
means to effectively and efficiently manage and
implement programs. The Regional Councils are
effective from the local standpoint because they
understand and voice local problems and concerns,
have the necessary knowledge and experience, have
a history of local assistance, and the working
trust of local officials.
23
Regional Councils at Work

• Successful Contractual Arrangements
• Successful and continuing partnerships with state
  agencies have played a critical long-term role in
  a joint effort to improve the lives of (insert
  state) citizens. These partnerships include long
  standing contracts with the Department of
  Community Affairs for coordinated and
  comprehensive planning and geographic information
  services, the Department of Human Resources for
  aging services coordination, the Department of
  Labor for workforce development, the Department
  of Natural Resources for historic preservation
  planning and the Department of Transportation for
  transportation planning coordination and data
  provision.
• Regional Councils have a long history of
  advancing economic development planning and
  coordination with the federal Economic
  Development Administration.
• Insert other successful contracts your Regional
  Council has partnered in.

24
In the columns, list the names of the Regional
Councils in the state. Designate which service
the Regional Council provides with an x.
25
In the columns, list the names of the Regional
Councils in the state. Designate which service
the Regional Council provides with an x.
26
In the columns, list the names of the Regional
Councils in the state. Designate which service
the Regional Council provides with an x.
27
In the columns, list the names of the Regional
Councils in the state. Designate which service
the Regional Council provides with an x. Blank
rows can be used to list additional services
offered.
28
Descriptions of Regional Council Services

• Aging Services Many of (insert state) Regional
  Councils serve as the state-designated Area
  Agency on Aging (AAA) for their planning and
  service area, working with local providers to
  ensure that services for the elderly, disabled
  and/or caregivers are provided and monitored
  throughout the year. Utilizing pass-through
  funds from state and federal sources, the AAA
  serves as a gateway for programs and resources
  aimed at helping senior citizens improve the
  quality of their lives. AAAs Information and
  Assistance service connects older adults and/or
  their caregivers with resources to assist them in
  living independently. AAAs are the Gateway to
  Community Resources. Most AAAs operate a
  toll-free number to maximize access to community
  resources. Examples of such services include,
  but are not limited to, providing congregate
  and/or home-delivered meals, transportation,
  adult daycare and/or in-homemaker services,
  health and wellness management and education,
  elder legal assistance, Alzheimers support,
  senior citizen centers, senior employment
  programs, elder abuse programs, long-term care
  ombudsman, and much more.
• Community Development Through the pursuit and
  administration of grants such as Community
  Development Block Grants (CDBG), Community HOME
  Investment Program (CHIP) grants, Federal
  Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) grants, CDGB
  Immediate Threat and Danger Grants and others.
  Regional Councils assist local communities to
  fund the enhancement of infrastructure, housing,
  waste reduction, emergency planning needs,
  recreation and a variety of other public projects
  including the construction of health departments,
  senior centers, and youth facilities.
• Comprehensive Planning (insert state) Regional
  Councils assist member local governments by
  assisting with comprehensive planning, solid
  waste planning, Short Term Work Program updates,
  and Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy
  (CEDS) documents that address community needs and
  objectives for economic development, community
  facilities, natural and historic resources,
  housing, transportation, and land use, and
  maintain the local communitys eligibility for
  state grant funds. Local plans are used to
  develop joint regional plans that identify
  opportunities for counties and municipalities to
  work together on a multi-county basis.

29
Descriptions of Regional Council
Servicescontinued

• Coordinated Transportation Regional Councils
  contract with the Department of Human Resources
  to provide quality and cost-effective
  transportation to eligible DHR consumers for the
  Division of Aging Services, Department of Family
  and Children Services, Mental Health, Development
  Disabilities and Addictive Diseases, Public
  Health, and Rehabilitation Services. DHR
  Coordinated Transportation operates across
  divisional lines, eliminates duplicated
  transportation, and promotes a more efficient and
  effective use of DHRs fleet of vehicles.
• Growth Management Local governments and
  planning commissions can receive assistance from
  Regional Councils with zoning ordinances,
  subdivision regulations and other tools to
  promote orderly land development.
• Demographics Regional Councils may maintain
  population data for use by local governments,
  chambers of commerce, industrial development
  authorities and citizens in their planning and
  development activities, and in this capacity may
  serve as state data and research center
  affiliates, assisting member counties and cities
  with preparing for and executing decennial census
  projects and intermediate data gathering.
• Economic Development Most Regional Councils are
  designated as Economic Development Districts
  (EDD) by the Department of Commerces Economic
  Development Administration. As an EDD, Regional
  Councils assist with a variety of economic
  development initiatives such as downtown
  development programs planning for industrial and
  business parks economic forecasting
  infrastructure improvement planning applications
  for state and federal grant loan programs
  military base support tourism development and
  business incubation
• Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Regional
  Councils provide digital mapping, spatial
  analysis, and data resources, providing member
  governments with maps and data that result in
  improved decision-making in land use planning,
  emergency planning, transportation planning,
  environmental studies, zoning enforcement,
  demographic analysis, and economic development.
• Grants Loans Regional Councils assist member
  governments and affiliated agencies in preparing
  federal and state grant-in-aid applications for
  projects in community development, water and
  sewer improvements, historic preservation, and
  solid waste management, to name a few such
  projects. The Regional Council also may
  administer loan packages from various sources to
  local governments, business and industry.

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Descriptions of Regional Council
Servicescontinued

• Historic Preservation Regional Councils provide
  a broad range of historic preservation technical
  assistance to local governments, organizations,
  individuals and the state. Assistance may
  include writing and/or administering Heritage
  Program Grants and other grants, submitting
  nominations to the national Register, and
  assisting with downtown development initiatives.
  Regional Councils may assist with preparation and
  adoption of historic preservation ordinances,
  assist in organizing nonprofit organizations to
  manage National Register properties, design
  brochures for local and regional Historic
  Districts that explain preservation ordinance
  requirements, and assist in various grant
  applications.
• National Resources Regional Councils may assist
  communities with preparing Source Water
  Assessment Plans to identify and assess potential
  pollution sources near public drinking water
  intakes preparing Total Maximum Daily Load
  (TMDL) implementation plans providing technical
  assistance on new wastewater treatment plants
  and/or water reservoirs storm water management
  wetlands protection air quality and the
  protection and wise use of all of a regions
  natural resources.
• Public Administration and Management Regional
  Councils support in this area includes
  wide-ranging technical assistance in the day-to
  day operations and management of a local
  government. Assistance may include development
  and updating personnel management systems,
  development of policies and procedures manuals,
  codification of ordinances, compliance reporting,
  homeland security planning and coordination,
  grant development and writing, grant
  administration, disaster mitigation planning,
  graphic and website design and creation, and much
  more.
• Transportation Regional Councils maintain an
  inventory of public roads through global
  positioning system location of road centerlines,
  assist the Department of Transportation with
  scenic byway program support, environmental
  resources information and reviews, and public
  involvement with the Statewide Transportation
  Improvement Program. Regional Councils may be
  involved in such projects as planning sidewalks
  and establishing bikeways car and vanpooling
  services, and mass transit or coordinated
  transportation opportunities. Some Regional
  Councils serve as Metropolitan Planning
  Organizations (MPOs) for transportation planning.
• Workforce Development Many Regional Councils
  are instrumental in various workforce development
  efforts, planning for and providing a system of
  comprehensive, integrated, customer-driven
  workforce training and /or re-training,
  employment and career development that meets the
  needs of discouraged workers, unemployed and
  underemployed individuals, as well as workers
  seeking to enhance their skills for continued
  career advancement. Efforts that may fall under
  this category may include dislocated worker
  services, youth services, and/or underemployed
  worker programs.

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Glossary

• Area Agency on Aging (AAA) a division of many
  of (insert state) Regional Councils that is
  responsible for the planning, administration,
  coordination, monitoring, advocacy and funding of
  community-based programs and services for the
  elderly, disabled, and/or caregivers of a region,
  accomplished through partnerships with cities,
  counties, private nonprofit and for-profit
  service organizations.
• Board the board of directors of a Regional
  Council
• Community Care Services Program (CCSP)
  administered by the Area Agencies on Aging, this
  program is a leader in community-based care
  options, providing support and direction to the
  Aging Network to ensure that citizens eligible
  for nursing home care have the option of
  remaining in their homes or communities.
• Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) a
  competitive state grant program for local
  governments, using federal funds from the
  Department of Housing and Urban Development
  (HUD), to benefit low to moderate income
  individuals.
• Contracts for discretionary services contracts
  awarded on a competitive basis to the Regional
  Councils by the Department of Community Affairs,
  wherein each Regional Council submits proposals
  for specific projects it seeks to undertake in
  its region.
• Contracts for non-discretionary services a
  fixed amount of funding provided by the
  Department of Community Affairs to each Regional
  Council to perform services mandated in the
  (insert state) Planning Act
• Core-based Statistical Area (CBSA) refers
  collectively to metropolitan and micropolitan
  statistical areas. A statistical geographic
  entity consisting of the county or counties
  associated with at least one core (urbanized area
  or urban cluster) of at least 10,000 population,
  plus adjacent counties having a degree of social
  and economic integration with the core as
  measured through commuting ties with the counties
  containing the core
• Development of Regional Impact (DRI) a
  state-mandated notification and review process
  for projects that meet prescribed thresholds and
  may have multi-jurisdictional impacts.
• Division of Aging Services (DAS) assists older
  individuals, their families and caregivers to
  achieve safe, healthy, independent and self
  reliant lives
• Economic Development Administration (EDA) a
  federal agency providing funding for economic
  development projects in designated areas and
  administrative funds for Economic Development
  Districts

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• Geographic Information System (GIS) a computer
  based analysis tool consisting of a combination
  of software and hardware elements designed to
  store, retrieve, manipulate and display
  geographic data
• (insert state) Environmental Facilities Authority
  (_EFA) entity providing low-interest loans to
  local governments to address water and wastewater
  needs
• Global Positioning System (GPS) a mapping
  instrument that uses satellite positioning
  technology to accurately map and collect database
  information for geographic features on the ground
• Inter-jurisdictional among two or more local
  governments
• Inter-agency among two or more agencies
  including federal and state government
  departments
• Land Use Plan a plan for orderly land
  development that is implemented by zoning and
  subdivision regulations manufactured housing
  ordinances flood plain ordinances and other
  ordinances to assist local governments and
  developers in shaping local properties to the
  benefit of the community
• Local Comprehensive Plan a 20-year plan by a
  county or municipality covering such county or
  municipality and prepared pursuant to the minimum
  standards and procedures for preparation of
  comprehensive plans and for implementation of
  comprehensive plans, established by the
  Department of Community Affairs in accordance
  with O.C.G.A. 50-8-7.1 (b) and 50-8-7.2
• Local Development Fund (LDF) competitive
  funding opportunity through the Department of
  Community Affairs used by local governments to
  fund community improvement activities
• Local Government any county, municipality, or
  other political subdivision of the state
• Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) an
  organization that oversees a certified planning
  process as a condition for federal funding for
  transportation projects. Urban areas, with a
  contiguous population of 50,000 or more, can be
  designated MPOs

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• Micropolitan Statistical Area a core-based
  statistical area associated with at least one
  urban cluster that has a population of at least
  10,000 but less than 50,000. The Micropolitan
  Statistical Area comprises the central county or
  counties containing the core, plus adjacent
  outlying counties having a high degree of social
  and economic integration with the central county
  as measured through commuting
• Non-metropolitan all local governments within
  counties with a population less than 50,000
  persons according to the most recent U.S. Census
• National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System
  (NADES) permit program that prohibits the
  unauthorized discharge of pollutants from a point
  source to U.S. waters, including municipal,
  commercial and industrial wastewater discharges
• Ombudsman an individual with the Long-Term Care
  Ombudsman Program, administered by the Area
  Agency on Aging, who advocates for residents of
  long-term care facilities and their families by
  investigating and resolving complaints
• Outmigration a communitys loss of population
  due to residents seeking employment opportunities
  elsewhere
• Planning an ongoing process that seeks to
  provide the beneficial, orderly, efficient,
  desirable, and healthy growth of a community. It
  is a dynamic process in which governments
  anticipate and seek to accommodate community
  development in ways that balance competing land
  use goals and coordinate local and regional
  interests. Planning acknowledges the
  interrelationships that exist between community
  functions, infrastructure, economic and natural
  resources, and both public and private interests
• Planning Elements the minimum elements of a
  comprehensive plan that must be addressed by a
  local government in the preparation of such plan.
  The minimum elements initially include
  transportation, intergovernmental coordination,
  capital improvements, population, economic
  development, cultural resources, community
  facilities, housing and land use
• Planning Period the 20 years following the year
  of initial adoption of the regional plan. This
  is the future period of time that must be planned
  for in the regional planning process
• Qualified Local Government (QLG) a county or
  municipality that adopts and maintains its
  comprehensive plan, solid waste plan,
  environmental criteria and service delivery
  strategy in conformity with the minimum standards
  and procedures establishes regulations
  consistent with the Part V Environmental
  Criteria and does not fail to participate in the
  Department of Community Affairs mediation or
  other means of resolving conflicts that reflects
  a good faith effort to resolve any conflict

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• Region the territorial area within the
  boundaries of operation of an Regional Council
• Regional Development Center (RDC) an
  organization established under O.C.G.A. 50-8-32
  and whose purpose is to facilitate local and
  regional comprehensive planning
• Regional Plan the comprehensive plan developed
  by a Regional Council covering its region
  prepared pursuant to regional planning standards
  and procedures established by the Department of
  Community Affairs
• Regionally Important Resource (RIR) a natural
  or historic resource that has boundaries
  extending beyond a single local governments
  jurisdiction or has value to a broader public
  constituency, and that is vulnerable to the
  actions and activities of humans. Procedures and
  guidelines to govern regionally important
  resources have been promulgated by the Department
  of Community Affairs pursuant to O.C.G.A.
  50-8-7.1(b)(3)
• Regionally Significant important enough to be
  noteworthy from a multi-jurisdictional
  perspective, as opposed to being of importance or
  concern to a single local government
• Regional Planning Organization (RPO) a generic
  term for regional planning entities such as RDCs
• Rural Business Enterprise Grant (RBEG)
  competitive U.S. Department of Agriculture/Rural
  Development fund used by local governments and
  authorities to undertake job-creating activities
  within rural communities
• Safe, Accountable, Flexible and Efficient
  Transportation Equity Act (SAFETEA) Federal
  program that provides funding for infrastructure
  maintenance and improvements for highway and
  transit facilities
• School-to-Work an educational approach that
  combines advanced classroom courses and high
  academic standards with real life learning to
  prepare all students for college and jobs
• Short Term Work Program (STWP) a five year
  implementation strategy for comprehensive plans
  and solid waste management plans that local
  counties and municipalities must provide in order
  to maintain their status as Qualified Local
  Governments (QLG) with the Department of
  Community Affairs

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• Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) - a calculation
  of the maximum amount of a pollutant that a
  stream, river, or lake can receive and still meet
  water quality standards and be considered safe
  and healthy
• Tourism and Regional Assistance Centers (TRACS)
  an organization that provides innovative economic
  development assistance focused on tourism-related
  issues to (insert state) communities. Operates
  through the (insert organization)
• Workforce Investment Act of 1998 federal
  legislation that provides states and local
  communities the opportunity to design a
  revitalized workforce system that provides
  workers with the information, advice, job search
  assistance and training they need to get and keep
  good jobs, and provides employers with skilled
  workers
• Zoning a tool to implement the land use plan
  which involves a municipality or county being
  divided into districts where certain uses of land
  are permitted and within which certain property
  setbacks, open spaces, and building heights are
  established