MRCOG Budget

Message from the Executive Director

In the corporate world, stakeholders and board members want to know what the “ROI” is – or “Return on Investment” …and generally, they’re referring to a monetary measure. But in the government arena, we measure things a bit differently. Our ROI is measured in the communities we assist – and ultimately - the people we serve. Our capital, so to speak, is “human capital” – the economic value of the skills, knowledge, and experience of our members and our staff, which contributes to the productivity and overall success of the Mid-Region Council of Governments.

So, as we embark on a new fiscal year, I feel fortunate to work with a collective group whose hard work and dedication is evident in the development of a budget that truly reflects and fits the needs of our region. As you will see as you read through the 2026 MRCOG Budget, we have many lofty goals and objectives planned for the next fiscal year.

One of the most significant is the implementation of the Transitions 2045 Metropolitan Transportation Plan (MTP) – basically, the roadmap for identifying future transportation needs throughout the region over the next 20 years. More than a document - it is a process for setting regional goals with input from local agencies, the State DOT, tribal leaders, and the public.

We are also coordinating with our member agencies on two other critical plans; one, an update to the Long-Range Transportation Systems Guide (LRTS), which includes the development of the long-range roadways, transit and bikeways network maps…and the other, the implementation of the regional incident management plan for coordinating responses to incidents on Interstate and arterial highways.

Last year, MRCOG began managing the Government Results and Opportunity (GRO) Fund. This 2-year funding program was created by the Legislature to help build local capacity by covering operational costs and providing program resources for various initiatives. One year into the effort, MRCOG has successfully executed contracts for all 63 appropriations, totaling more than $11 million. These funds are now supporting a wide range of nonprofit and government organizations across the region. As distribution continues, the program is already beginning to show promise in driving meaningful, community-level impact.

Our Economic Development plans include continuing to provide support and technical assistance to our communities pursuing EDA funding, as well as creating an updated CEDS – “Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy” that reflects the needs of our region, which will understandably look significantly different from the last CEDS produced just prior to the pandemic.

Our efforts on the Workforce front remain steadfast, as we seek to actively promote and increase work-based strategies that include a wide range of support – both for employers and jobseekers through classroom, virtual, and on-the-job training,

And as with our Workforce endeavors, the transportation services we provide are equally continuous. This is why we must focus our efforts on a much-needed Rail Runner Operations and Maintenance facility. For over 15-years, Rio Metro mechanical crews have worked in an often-challenging environment to keep the fleet in good repair. A new maintenance facility would not only provide workplace safety and efficiency but would also support well-paying jobs and allows for future expansion. It is with great enthusiasm, that I look toward the next year or working with our many members to bring about an ROI that uplifts the many communities in our region, and truly supports and benefits those we serve.

Sincerely,
Dewey V. Cave, Executive Director