Councils of governments in North Carolina

This figure however, dropped dramatically by 1988 as federal funding was cut sharply, and it is estimated to have accounted for only 45% of regional council budgets at this time.

In the years following, this number decreased to 17 [2] and today North Carolina calls itself home to 16 regional councils of government.

In 2010 the seventeen regional councils existing at that time signed an inter-regional cooperative agreement that established a policy to enhance their value by sharing member resources and capacity to deliver services to the state of North Carolina.

[1] As of July 1, 2007 it is reported that the number of local governments served by regional councils in North Carolina has increased by 16% since 1994.

[2] Throughout this same time period the number of citizens served by regional councils has increased by 35% or approximately 2.3 million.

[2] This equates to 92% of local governments and 97% of all North Carolina citizens being represented by regional councils as of July 1, 2007.

Planning, technical assistance, geographic information systems (GIS), and grant writing are the four most prevalent in the State of North Carolina.

Aside from aging, regional councils in North Carolina provide numerous other federal and state programs.

[2] This is due to the fact that the population of North Carolina has increased at a faster rate than the COG budgets.

[2] Depending on geographical size, population and number of services provided, the budgets of regional councils in North Carolina vary greatly.

[2] Direct State Contribution to regional councils of government decreased by 27% during this same time period (1994–2007) in which the average total budget increase was realized.

[4] Approximately 84% of these State and Federal funds were passed through to local governments or other agencies to provide services for target populations such as those needing housing assistance or the elderly.