About Us » History

The Northwest Missouri Regional Council of Governments (NWMORCOG), formerly called the Northwest Missouri Regional Planning Commission, is one of 20 regional planning commissions in Missouri, which grew out of the State and Regional Planning and Community Development Act of 1966, permitting the establishment of regional planning commissions to resolve common community problems on a regional basis.

The formation of regional planning commissions was voluntary, requiring the consent of the governing bodies representing over 50 percent of the population. The Northwest Missouri Regional Planning Commission was established on June 11, 1968, under Revised Statutes Chapter 251 of the State of Missouri. The Council currently consists of the five County Courts of Atchison, Gentry, Holt, Nodaway, and Worth counties, and 42 towns in the area.

From the establishment of the Commission in 1968 until 1972, the Commission did not employ any full-time staff. However, the Commission did contract with various consultants for the development of plans. In 1970, they contracted with Larkin and Associates, Kansas City, to develop a comprehensive plan for water and sewer development in northwest Missouri. In 1971, the Commission contracted with the Missouri Department of Community Affairs for the development of goals and objectives, overall program design, and an initial housing study. In 1972, the Commission hired its first full-time staff. During Fiscal Year 1974-1975, the Commission received additional funding under Missouri Senate Bill 168. These funds, along with matching funds and federal grants, enabled the Commission to expand its planning program.

Some of the programs undertaken included: economic development planning, regional comprehensive planning (transportation plan, land use plan, community facilities plan, recreation and open space plan, water and sewer plan). Since that time, and to the present, some representative programs are: Community Development Block Grant, drought assistance, governmental management assistance, state and federal program information, loan packaging, park and recreational grant assistance, local planning assistance, housing needs studies, Health Systems Agency assistance, library and educational grant and technical assistance, and foundation research.

In December 1975, the Commission changed its name to the Northwest Missouri Regional Council of Governments. It was felt by the members that the "Council of Governments" title would project a clearer image of the two-fold purpose of the organization. The first being that of local governments, working together to identify common concerns and planning for the solutions of problems which commonly affect the individual local governments or affect a larger area-wide concern. Secondly, the organization provides assistance to the local governments in implementing these solutions in order to solve problems and meet needs.