Region XII COG is a regional planning agency that serves governments, individuals, and businesses in 6 counties and 60 cities in west central Iowa. For its local governments, the COG provides, among other services, land use planning, transportation planning, grant writing and administration, housing planning, city services technical assistance, and economic development. For individuals, the COG operates the regional public transit service open to all citizens, housing assistance (rehabilitation and down payment assistance), and is partner in the local workforce development center. To businesses, the COG is a source of financing for those companies who create jobs, assists in project development for new and expanding companies, provides commuter transportation, operates the Iowa Waste Exchange program in 40 counties, and works to create linkages between education and the local business community. The COG also hosts the local Small Business Development Center Office.