About Us
The National Association of Regional Councils (NARC) serves as the national voice for regionalism by advocating for regional cooperation as the most effective way to address a variety of community planning and development opportunities and issues.
NARC’s member organizations are composed of multiple local governments that work together to serve American communities - large and small, urban and rural.
For over 40 years, NARC has represented the interests of its members and has advanced regional cooperation through effective interaction and advocacy with Congress, Federal officials and other related agencies and interest groups. NARC’s agenda includes, but is not limited to, transportation, community and economic development, the environment, homeland security and regional preparedness, and a variety of community issues undertaken by its member organizations.
NARC provides its members valuable information and research on key national policy issues, federal policy developments, best practices, and conducts enriching training sessions, conferences, workshops and satellite telecasts.
Our membership includes:
- regional councils (RCs)
- region-wide associations of local governments -- councils of government (COGs)
- regional planning and development agencies
- metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs)
NARC members are a dedicated group of local elected officials and professionals who work with community leaders and citizens in several core areas, such as transportation, community and economic development, environmental quality, homeland security and emergency preparedness. Below are some examples of what this combined effort seeks to accomplish:
- build local capacity
- develop and implement strategic investment plans
- foster regional cooperation and economic competitiveness
- forge public and private partnerships
- secure and manage funds from local, state, federal and private sources.