Planning and Economic Development
The North-central Alabama Regional Council of Government’s (NARCOG) Regional and Community Planning Division provides professional planning, economic development, and technical assistance to local and member governments in a variety of planning related activities. This is typically accomplished through a planning and decision-making process which includes data collection and analysis, problem identification, evaluation of alternatives, and assistance in the development and adoption of policies, goals and objectives, strategies, and their implementation. Regional & Community PlanningThe NARCOG provides a full range of planning services designed to respond to the various needs and problems throughout the region, while providing assistance in guiding the future growth and development of the region. These planning services include the preparation of comprehensive plans, downtown plans, special area plans, subdivision regulations, and zoning ordinances, etc. Some recent and current examples include:
Economic DevelopmentAs the designated Economic Development District ( EDD ), the NARCOG provides economic development planning and assistance to our local governments with financial assistance and support from the Economic Development Administration ( EDA ) under Section 302 (a) of the Public Works and Economic Development Act, as amended in 1974. Economic planning activities consist of providing data collection and analysis; assistance to local governments in grant and loan application requests and in grants management; direct application preparation for grant and loan funds; and the formulation of economic development goals, strategies, and projects designed to promote the mission of the region through an annual update of our regional Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy ( CEDS ) working in partnership with the CEDS Strategy Committee. Some recent economic development projects include: State Data CenterThe NARCOG is a State Data Center affiliate and official census depository designated by the U. S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of the Census. The NARCOG receives all census data, publications and special reports from State and Federal Agencies. Additionally, the NARCOG processes requests for Census data from:
State PlanningThe NARCOG is actively involved in planning for specific and general state-wide needs in partnership with various state agencies (ADECA, AEMA, AFC, ADO, ADEM, ALDOT, etc.) and our sister agencies. Our state association, the Alabama Association of Regional Councils (AARC), serves as a conduit for several task forces established to accomplish these joint efforts to develop regional plans which are integrated to form state plans.
Technical AssistanceThe NARCOG provides technical assistance to local governments in addressing various community planning, community development, and economic development needs.
Regional ClearinghouseThe NARCOG serves as a regional clearinghouse for federal and state projects. The NARCOG reviews applications for federal and state assistance to insure that proposed projects are consistent with local, regional, and state plans, as well as our regional Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS). For additional information, contact Joey Hester via telephone: 256-355-4515 extension 250 or via e-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it |
