What is the primary role of Councils of Governments in the United States?

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Councils of Governments function as regional governing or coordinating bodies that bring together multiple local jurisdictions to address issues that cross city or county lines. They provide a shared forum for planning and policy work on transportation, land use, economic development, and other regional concerns, helping align efforts and pool resources across a region. They don’t regulate business licenses, which are handled by local or state authorities, and they don’t operate transit systems themselves—transit is run by transit agencies or municipalities, with the COG often coordinating planning and funding. They may support regional housing or planning initiatives, but the actual management of housing and planning typically remains with local governments or state agencies. This collaborative, cross-boundary role is what makes them best described as regional governing or coordinating bodies.