A regional council is a public organization encompassing a multi-jurisdictional regional community; it is founded on, sustained by, and directly tied to local governments through local and/or state government laws, agreements, or other actions. Through communication, planning, policymaking, coordination, advocacy, and technical assistance, the regional council serves the local governments and citizens in the region by dealing with issues and needs which cross city, town, country, and, in some instances, state boundaries. Regional councils serve a region or sub-state district which consists of a group of neighboring local communities whose residents are joined as a unit economically, socially, and geographically.
Regional councils have grown into pro-active, multi-functional, full-service regional organizations, prepared to enable regional communities and their leaders and citizens, to compete globally and thrive locally. They:
Provide regional forums - "front porches" and "country stores" - bringing community leaders and citizens together to address common needs that span jurisdictional boundaries;
Provide skilled, experienced staff to conduct regional strategic planning processes, develop practical strategies for addressing tough common challenges, and guide them into implementation;
Provide technical assistance, information, and administrative services that expand the capabilities of individual local governments and groups;
Administer federal, state, and local programs that can be more economically and effectively delivered at the regional level.