National Association of Regional Councils

10/31/2025

Looking for your next career move in regional planning?
💼 https://narc.org/resources/job-posts/

The NARC Job Board is your go-to destination for unique opportunities across the country. From executive leadership to planning and engineering roles, our listings connect talented professionals with regional councils nationwide. Check out some of the latest openings:

Executive Director – Western Arizona Council of Governments, Yuma, AZ
Chief Financial Officer – Iowa Finance Authority, Des Moines, IA
Senior Transportation Engineer – Broward MPO, Fort Lauderdale, FL
Urban & Regional Planner – Emerald Coast Regional Council, Pensacola, FL
Transportation Planner – Yakima Valley Council of Governments, Yakima, WA
Executive Director – Stanislaus Council of Governments, Modesto, CA

Explore all opportunities and take the next step in your regional planning career: https://narc.org/resources/job-posts/

Job Board Executive DirectorPosted 10/30/25Western Arizona Council of GovernmentsYuma, AZ Chief Financial OfficerPosted 10/30/25Iowa Finance AuthorityDes Moines, IA Executive DirectorPosted 10/30/25Alachua County Metropolitan Transportation Planning OrganizationGainesville, FL Senior Transportation....

10/24/2025

The Regions Lead Blog is back: https://narc.org/2025/10/17/how-regional-councils-are-advancing-zoning-reform/ 🚨

The latest installment, “How Regional Councils Are Advancing Zoning Reform," covers the recent webinar by NARC and the National Association of Development Organizations (NADO) with Sara C. Bronin of the National Zoning Atlas.

We discuss how regional councils can help shape zoning policy, even when they don’t have direct zoning authority. By using their regional data, convening power, and technical guidance, regional councils can help local and state governments tackle housing shortages and spur economic development.

👉Read more here: https://narc.org/2025/10/17/how-regional-councils-are-advancing-zoning-reform/

Explore insights from NARC’s webinar with the founder of the National Zoning Atlas on how regional councils can influence zoning reform.

10/22/2025

Member Spotlight: Land of Sky Regional Council 🔦

The Land of Sky Regional Council (LOS) is leading an initiative to strengthen energy resilience in six counties affected by Hurricane Helene with permanent and mobile microgrids: https://www.deq.nc.gov/news/press-releases/2025/08/12/north-carolina-launches-clean-energy-microgrid-initiative-boost-disaster-resilience.

After Hurricane Helene, LOS stepped up to provide electricity at over 100 sites. Now their Microgrid Initiative will build 24 new stationary microgrids and two 'Beehives,' which are clusters of smaller, portable microgrids

The microgrids are designed to:

- Generate solar energy during peak demand

- Keep essential services running during emergencies

- Enhance infrastructure diversity and long-term cost efficiency

Their project is done in partnership with the NC Sustainable Energy Association, Footprint Project, and the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality.

Keep up the great work Land of Sky!

10/21/2025

We’re thrilled to see our friends at the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC) continue convening regional partners for future passenger rail🚉

For a small upfront investment, regional councils like MORPC ensure infrastructure projects are strategically planned and ready for future federal funding. This early planning work enhances efficiency and maximizes the return on investment of public dollars.

The Midwest Connect Passenger Rail Project is planned to connect Pittsburgh to Chicago via Columbus, Ohio, using existing rail corridors where possible and spurring economic growth across the Midwest. The latest funding moves the project into Step Two of the Federal Railroad Administration's Corridor Identification and Development Program. Keep up the great work MORPC 👏

Learn more here:

The Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission, along with the City of Ft. Wayne, Indiana, and the Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission are committing $650,000 in local funds toward the development of a passenger rail corridor that would connect Chicago and Pittsburgh via stops in Columbus, Ohio, and Ft....

10/08/2025

Day two of kept the momentum going with sessions that hit right at the core of regional leadership.

First up, Robert A. Phillips, AICP led a fireside chat with Todd Little and Chuck Wemple the practical regional applications of AI. From real use cases to challenges on the ground, this was all about how regions are innovating in this new field.

We then turned to our workforce. Aileen Bouclé, AICP, Becky Bradley, AICP, and Rick Dunne shared strategies for building and maintaining strong teams.

Plenty of takeaways, plenty to bring back home. On to our working waterfront mobile workshop!

10/08/2025

Day two of kept the momentum going with sessions that hit right at the core of regional leadership.

First up, Robert Phillips led a fireside chat with Todd Little and Chuck Wemple the practical regional applications of AI. From real use cases to challenges on the ground, this was all about how regions are innovating in this new field.

We then turned to our workforce. Aileen Bouclé, Becky Bradley, and Rick Dunne shared strategies for building and maintaining strong teams.

Plenty of takeaways, plenty to bring back home. On to our working waterfront mobile workshop!

10/07/2025

Good morning from day two of ! We’re starting today with a critical conversation on shifting Federalism. Federal policy and funding are changing quickly, and regional organizations need to be ready.
Kristina Egan, Amy O'Leary, and Josh Brown are leading the discussion on how regions can adapt, innovate, and seize opportunities in this evolving landscape. Thank you all!

10/07/2025

What a full first day in Portland with the Greater Portland Council of Governments!

We kicked things off with Rapid Fire Innovations, where executive directors shared their best new ideas in two minutes or less. Big thanks to Tyson Warner for keeping the pace fast and the energy high.

At lunch, Jeff Levine walked us through how regions can balance local control with statewide housing needs, a timely and important challenge for every community.

The afternoon sessions dove deep into big issues: Geraldine Gardner, Andrew Gunning, and Ryan Vogt discussed how aging services and the economy intersect; and an eye-opening mis and disinformation workshop with Brad Sperber of the Keystone Policy Center and William Murdock that got everyone thinking about trust and collaboration.

We closed the day with Unconference, where participants choose discussion topics, proving once again that the best ideas come straight from our executive directors.

A lot of learning, a lot of sharing, and plenty of momentum heading into day two!

10/06/2025

NARC is starting day one of the Executive Directors Conference strong with remarks from Kristina Egan, Executive Director of the Greater Portland Council of Governments (GPCOG) and Mark Dion, Mayor of the City of Portland, Maine.

We also heard how GPCOG is tackling regional challenges from Chris Chop, Belinda Ray, and Sara Mills-Knapp. We are looking forward to a first day full of learning, discussion, and networking for our Executive Directors.

10/06/2025

Welcome Executive Directors to Portland, Maine! We had a great day visiting Peaks Island to see climate resilience in action.

We heard from Nick Mavodones Operations Manager of Casco Bay Lines on their hybrid electric ferry and efforts to cut emissions. After, we toured storm recovery sites with Sustainability Director at the City of Portland, Maine, Troy Moon.

Special thanks to the Bicycle Coalition of Maine for lending us a fleet of e-bikes for our tour. We had a blast!

09/30/2025

🎉 Member Spotlight: North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority (NJTPA)🎉

Thanks to a grant from the North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority (NJTPA), an innovative Independent Studio was just completed in preparation for the upcoming World Cup final in New Jersey! ⚽️🌍

Led by Professor Gernot Riether, chair of NJIT's School of Architecture, and supported by students Tatiana Florexil, Damian Summers, Francesca Valdez-Tan, Rina Finkelstein, and Tiffany Hu, the projects focus on strategic, small-scale interventions that generate significant social and economic impact, even those without large stadiums.

Grants like NJTPA’s empower students and leaders to tackle real-world design challenges and transform public spaces into dynamic, inclusive environments!

For more information on the project: https://news.njit.edu/fifa-fan-zones-njit-architecture-students-reimagine-public-spaces-world-cup

09/17/2025

As a proud member of the Local Officials in Transportation (LOT) Coalition, NARC presented a joint webinar discussing local and regional priorities for surface transportation reauthorization: https://www.naco.org/event/road-reauthorization-local-and-regional-priorities-surface-transportation-reauthorization

Local and regional governments own a majority of transportation infrastructure, yet they receive a small portion of federal funding and minimal decision-making authority. The LOT Coalition is seeking a reauthorization that:

1) Streamlines delivery of key formula funds directly to regional organizations and local governments

2) Maintains competitive federal funding access for local governments and regional organizations

3) Strengthens transportation planning, performance, and project delivery

4) Dedicates formula funding for rural transportation planning

5) Streamlines environmental processes and permitting for smaller projects

We will continue working tirelessly to ensure that local and regional voices are accounted for in the next surface transportation reauthorization!

Many thanks to our LOT partners for joining together on this effort:
National Association of Counties (NACo)
National League of Cities (NLC)
National Association of Regional Councils (NARC)
Association of Metropolitan Planning Organizations (AMPO)
National Association of Development Organizations (NADO)
United States Conference of Mayors (USCM)

Together, we are working to ensure federal transportation policy reflects the priorities of the communities we serve.

Join NACo and the Local Officials in Transportation (LOT) Coalition to hear updates on the ongoing surface transportation reauthorization process, including learning more about the coalition’s policy priorities and how you can get involved.