The Maricopa Association of Governments, also known as MAG, is a large regional planning authority. Here in Arizona we have the Arizona Council of Governments (COGs) comprised of 5 designated planning agencies: MAG, the Pima Association of Governments (PAG), Northern Arizona Council of Governments (NACOG), SouthEastern Arizona Governments Organization (SEAGO), and the Central Arizona Governments (CAG).
MAG is the planning and policy agency for Metro Phoenix including parts of Pinal County and the City of Maricopa. The Fort McDowell Yavapai, Gila River, and the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian communities are also members of MAG.
The SouthEastern Arizona Governments Organization covers South East Arizona including the Cities of Douglas, Bisbee, Nogales, Sierra Vista, Tombstone, and Wilcox. The counites of Santa Cruz, Graham, and Cochise are included in the organization. The San Carolos Apache Tribe is also a member of the SEAGO.
The Central Arizona Governments serves Gila and Pinal counties and includes the cities of Apache Junction, Casa Grande, Coolidge, Eloy, Florence, Globe, Marana, Miami, Maricopa, Payson, Queen Creek and Superior. The Ak-Chin Indian Community, Gila River, San Carlos Apache and White Mountain Apache tribes are also members.
The goal of these regional planning authorities is to aid local governments in coordinating solutions to large problems, provide a forum for policy development and aid in economic development, transportation, water and social services policy and solutions, as well as act as a research and data gathering place.
At weservgad.org, you will find maps and transportation information from these government planning agencies useful to you and your clients. Beyond the maps, is the information on proposed and ongoing projects you and your clients will find at the agency websites. When your client asks “what’s going on the region or area?” you can give them a link to the agency website and they will be able to read comprehensive economic development strategies, transportation plans, economic development plans, water resources management and regional strategic plans and community services planning.
I encourage you to take the time to visit the websites of these agencies. Learn the regional planning so you can provide your clients with an overview and link them to the regional details. Then you are a valuable resource as you are the “source of the source”.
To help you learn more about these regional planning agencies, how they work and interact with local governments, WeMAR GAD will be hosting Amy St. Peter, Deputy Executive Director of MAG on May 21st at WeMAR. We will live stream the event to member in Pinal and Cochise counites. If you are near WeMAR on May 21st, please plan to join us from 10am to 1pm. This will be an interesting and informative three hours. You may register for this free event at www.weservgad.org. We ask that you register so that we have food and seats for all. A light lunch will be served.
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