The Cowlitz-Wahkiakum Council of Governments (CWCOG) is a joint governmental agency purposed to address regional and governmental issues of mutual interest and concern to its membership. The CWCOG Board represents 31 entities from counties, cities, school districts, utility districts, ports, fire districts, economic development councils, a community college and other non-profit agencies in or near Cowlitz and Wahkiakum counties. It provides a forum for members to work together on issues which cross jurisdictional lines and require cooperative resolution. In addition, the agency itself provides planning and technical services in the areas of transportation, economic development and community development to facilitate those issues and provide additional support to our members. Located in Kelso, Washington the agency’s main boundaries span Washington State’s Cowlitz and Wahkiakum counties and Oregon State’s City of Rainier. In the interest of economic development our boundaries expand to include Lewis County, and in transportation Pacific and Grays Harbor Counties as well. CWCOG’s services are based in a variety of planning functions such as land use, comprehensive planning, community development, housing, urban growth management, transportation, demographic information, economic development, environmental issues, and other regional and community planning areas, as well as, providing experience and technical expertise in any one functional area or program. On a larger scale, the CWCOG leads the efforts of the Southwest Economic Development Council, the Metropolitan and Regional Transportation Planning Organizations, and Cowlitz County’s Housing First Coalition to enhance our region for generations to come.