Who, What & Mission Statement

What is a Regional Council and what is its role?
A Regional Council is a voluntary association of local governments authorized by state law to make and implement joint regional decisions, provide management, planning and technical services to local governments, identify and solve short and long-term problems best addressed at the regional level, and bring together local elected officials on a regular basis, giving them an opportunity to form working relationships. Regional Councils are regarded as local governments without taxing or police authority.

Mission Statement
Promoting regionalism that provides opportunities for local governments to enhance and improve quality of life for our citizens through the effective delivery of services and programs.

Where are you located?
Kerr-Tar Regional Council of Governments (KTRCOG) is located at 1724 Graham Avenue, Henderson, NC 27536. Office is located off I-85 Exit 212. Click here for directions and map.

Workforce Career Centers are located in Henderson and Oxford. Click  http://www.ncawdb.org for contact information.  Access Points for Employment Services are in Franklinton, Warrenton and Roxboro.

Who administers or oversees the KTCOG?
The Kerr Tar COG acts as a division of local government and is governed by a Board of Directors and an Executive Committee. The Executive Committee sets policy and appoints the Executive Director who manages the affairs of KTRCOG. There are 34 members on the KTCOG Board of Directors.

The Executive Committee is composed of fifteen members and the Executive Committee is empowered to act on all administrative functions and policies and take such actions make recommendations, formulate and adopt policies on those matters which will best carry out the purposes and responsibilities as provided for in the bylaws.

How long has the KTCOG been in existence?
The KTCOG began in 1971 as a partnership of five counties, Franklin, Granville, Person, Vance and Warren and included 15 municipalities at the beginning (now consisting of 16) in the partnership. The Council and its member governments work with federal and state partners and other agencies to help fund regional hospitals, libraries, community colleges, water and sewer projects, industrial parks and sites, etc.

How are you funded?
KTCOG is primarily grant-funded, with additional support from dues from our local member governments. With an annual budget of approximately $6M. The COG receives grant funding as well as federal and state pass through funds to support current programs.

What types of programs does the COG administer?
KTCOG serves its members and the citizens of the region by administering programs related to aging, economic and community development, planning, transportation, and workforce development. The KTCOG is strongly service oriented and our programs are driven by membership needs.

What area do you serve?
We serve NC’s region K – Franklin, Granville, Person, Vance and Warren counties and the municipalities therein.

How many Regional Councils are there in NC or in the US?
North Carolina is served by 16 regional councils. Regional Councils (www.ncregions.org) have been operating in the state since 1972 to assist members in administration and planning and to proactively work on issues of regional interest.

Across the US, there are more than 500 regional councils, although naming conventions may differ by state. In some areas, they are known as Councils of Government (or COGs), Lead Regional Organizations (or LROs), or sometimes Planning Commissions or Planning Associations.