For more and more leaders, there is a growing realization that the arena for public and private decision making is a regional community. A regional community can be defined as a cluster of neighboring cities, towns and counties joined together by common interests, economic activity, the marketplace, workforce and environmental problems. These regional communities may -- and in many instances, do -- cross state lines.

A regional council is a public organization encompassing a multi-jurisdictional regional community. It is founded on, sustained by and directly tied to local and/or state government laws, agreements or other actions. A regional council serves the local governments and citizens in the region by dealing with issues and needs that cross city, town, county and even state boundaries through communication, planning, policymaking, coordination, advocacy and technical assistance. A regional council seeks to build partnerships and programs that reflect the regional community. Through its regional council, the regional community can pool its resources to meet challenges involving solid waste, water and wastewater systems, housing, crime, transportation, workforce training, services for elderly, economic development and other issues that cross jurisdictional boundaries.

Regional councils serve all but three states. These councils identify, plan and implement programs and activities for all levels of government and promote intergovernmental cooperation. Such programs are undertaken with a regional approach for the primary benefit of local governments and the communities and citizens they serve.

Regional councils have different names -- regional planning commissions, councils of government, associations of government, regional development centers and economic development districts. Regardless of the name, regional councils carry out many of the same functions and responsibilities. Regional agencies with a single or specific project or program function are not regional councils by our definition. Such agencies include special specific project or program function are not regional councils by our definition. Such agencies include special districts and authorities for transportation, water resources, air pollution, education or other special purposes.

Regional councils develop programs areas to cover key services that cross community boundaries, such as transportation, economic development, job training, elderly services, housing, wetland and coastal zone management, solid waste management, clean air, growth management, water quality, substance abuse, child care, data and information services, infrastructure, technical assistance to local government and community development. Each regional council’s programs vary depending on the needs and interests of the region, its local governments and the state.

Regional councils allow even the smallest units of government to recognize some economy of scale by joining with surrounding municipalities to solve problems and provide services to its residents. This regional approach to problem solving is becoming increasingly important as small -- and large -- communities struggle to implement costly federal and state requirements with limited financial resources.

Regional councils are multi-jurisdicitional and multi-purpose organization with legal status. They are funded in whole or in part by member local governments, state and federal programs and private sector contributions. The governing bodies of regional councils are comprised primarily of local government elected officials and/or appointed representatives of local communities and state government.