Services & Programs

The CWCOG provides a broad range of services that address both long-range planning and projects with more immediate needs. Click on the links below for more details.

Planning & Community Development

Formed over 40 years ago for the purpose of studying regional and governmental issues, the Council of Governments has played an active part in the planning and development of our local region in several areas. Housing, short and long-range regional and local planning, park and recreation development, and local government planning support represent the core of services the CWCOG provides.

• Housing
• Planning Services
• Parks & Recreation Planning
• Community Visualization Services
• Grant Application Development

Economic Development Planning

The Cowlitz-Lewis Economic Development District is a partnership between the two counties aimed at improving economic conditions in the two-county region. The EDD board is responsible for maintaining an up-to-date Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) which guides local decisions of the public sector and others to improve the area’s economy and job base.

District staff monitors economic trends within the two-county region providing a variety of information and resources to economic development interests and local jurisdictions. Data is gathered and analyzed to derive economic strategies in order to strengthen the region’s competitive advantage. The document identifies public infrastructure needed to support economic development, and outlines strategies for development of various sectors of the regional economy. The CEDS is revisited and updated every five years.

The CEDS committee crafts the plan, while the Economic Development District formulates and recommends policy-level actions to participating local governments and economic development interests.

Economic Development District staff also offers the following services to promote economic development:

• Identification of community development financing tools.
• Assistance gathering data and other supporting information for funding applications.
• Analysis of the fiscal impacts of an economic development project.
• Development of local labor force profiles.
• GIS mapping services to support research, grant requests, and data analysis.
• Demographic profiles for market analysis.
• Economic Development Committees

Transportation Planning

The Council of Governments is the lead agency for both a bi-state Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) and the five-county Southwest Washington Regional Transportation Planning Organization (SWRTPO). These organizations carry out transportation planning activities that cover a wide array of transportation-related issues throughout our area and neighboring counties.

• Longview-Kelso-Rainier Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO)
• Southwest Washington Regional Transportation Planning Organization (SWRTPO)
• Transportation Committees

Data & Information Services

CWCOG staff can provide research assistance to members, the public, the media and businesses for many types of data. Some requests may be fulfilled through a quick retrieval of data or production of a map, while others are more extensive and require a methodological approach, such as small area population estimates and projections, workforce information, income levels, etc.

Staff can locate a wide variety of data resources to help meet your informational needs. The Census is an excellent resource for local housing and population data. As the official census affiliate for the region, staff participate in state and federal training sessions on the use of U.S. Census Bureau data and products. An extensive array of additional information resources are known and catalogued to help meet our members’ requests also.

For example, the Economic Census, Bureau of Economic Analysis, and the Northwest Income Indicators Project are some of the data sources used to pinpoint economic trends. Staff can access numerous data resources to meet just about any type of data request.

• Data Clearinghouse
• Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
• Equipment Rental

Fiscal Services

The Council of Governments is qualified to act in many fiscal capacities. All finance and administrative staff are bonded, and work diligently to meet federal, state, and contractual requirements while providing a comprehensive audit trail in all programs the CWCOG undertakes.

• Fiscal Agent Services
• Block Grant Administration
• Grants Management

Substance Abuse Education & Prevention

Under the direction of the Cowlitz Substance Abuse Coalition, the Council of Governments’ Community Mobilization Department is dedicated to the education and prevention of substance abuse whether it is alcohol, tobacco, or other drugs. Working with multiple agencies and specialized groups, this department is dedicated to making Cowlitz County a healthier place to live for the current community and generations to come.

• Cowlitz Substance Abuse Coalition (CSAC)
• Cowlitz Meth Action Team (CMAT)
• Reduce Under Age Drinking (RUAD)
• Help Source Links

Family & Youth Resources

Our Community Mobilization Department works closely with and for youth whether this is helping to mold leaders through the Youth Leadership Academy and Teen Mentor programs, building the family unit through the Strengthening Families program or providing support to the local juvenile justice program to lower delinquency and juvenile offenders. As one of many agencies in our area committed to improving the lives of individuals and families, they actively participate in programs which support building foundations to better living. Our staff is devoted to the building up of our youth and families for a healthier tomorrow.

• Cowlitz-Wahkiakum Youth Commission (CWYC)
• Teen Mentor Program
• Strengthening Families Program
• Youth Leadership Academy (YLA)
• Widening the Circle (WTC)
• Youth Yellow Pages
• Networking Café
• Youth Commission Resource Library

Special Projects

CWCOG staff is available to assist in meeting almost any type of special planning need. Our staff members come from diverse backgrounds and offer a variety of skill sets. If you have a special request, just ask and we’ll evaluate the best way to get it done, whether it’s through our staff or by identifying other avenues to accomplish your goals.