Regional Development Centers (RDCs) are multi-county planning and development agencies serving municipal and county governments in different areas of a state. Regional Planning Organizations (RPOs) are active in most states, called by such names as Area Development Districts, Business Development Corporations, Councils of Government, Economic Development Commissions, Regional Planning Commissions, and similar labels. They may be involved in such activities as comprehensive planning, land use development, historic preservation, aging services, revolving loan funds, economic development, affordable housing, global economics, tourism, defense conversion, workforce development, coordinated transportation, technology, geographic information systems, and disaster mitigation planning. In most states, boundaries of these regional organizations are determined by the state based on a variety of criteria, i.e., similarities among local governments, the presence of a “growth center,” and a population mass to support the regional organization.  In sum, RDCs are excellent resources for local governments, businesses, communities and individual citizens.

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