About

The Skagit Council of Governments (SCOG) is a voluntary organization of local governments whose purpose is to foster a cooperative effort in resolving problems, policies and plans that are common and regional. The SCOG Board is the ruling body for SCOG, and is comprised of elected officials from the following jurisdictions:

The SCOG Board meets monthly to discuss regional issues and make administrative decisions regarding the Skagit Council of Governments.

What does SCOG do?

SCOG works in two major emphasis areas: Transportation and Economic Development through its four Revolving Loan Funds (RLF).

Transportation:

SCOG is a regional transportation planning resource that facilitates, advocates and educates through technical and professional expertise, public outreach, grants and other funding opportunities. SCOG serves as the lead agency for the Regional Transportation Planning Organization (RTPO) as enabled by Washington State law, and the Skagit Metropolitan Planning Organization (SMPO) as enabled by federal law. The transportation planning efforts SCOG is required to undertake are listed here.

SCOG works closely with our State and Federal legislators to inform them about our funding needs for transportation related projects and programs in Skagit County. Venues such as the annual legislative forum and frequent dialogs in connection with local and regional meetings sponsored by SCOG, give Skagit County opportunities to strengthen working relationships with our legislators.

Regional Planning

SCOG serves as a forum for Skagit County jurisdictions to come together and form a regional voice. Issues with regional implications can be discussed and addressed through SCOG’s efforts.

Growth Management Act (GMA) Steering Committee

This is an effort to plan for the future development of the county and cities working together to achieve a county-wide pattern of community building, land use, and conservation that reflects the environmental, economic, aesthetic, and social values of city and county residents
Regional Partnerships

1. SCOG is a lead agency for the North Sound Connecting Communities Project (NSCCP) a regional group of five North Sound Counties.
2. SCOG partners with Island County in administering the Skagit/Island Regional Transportation Planning Organization (SIRTPO) and Skagit/Island Regional Transportation Improvement Program (S/IRTIP).
3. SCOG alternates hosting SIRTPO meetings, and works to establish processes and priorities for regional Surface Transportation Program Enhancement (STP-E) funds.
4. SCOG also contracts to provide modeling for Island County as part of SCOG’s regional modeling effort.

Legislative Outreach

SCOG annually hosts a legislative update forum were local officials can meet with state and federal representatives to address the needs of Skagit County. SCOG has been influential in creating a regional voice that is carried to legislators in Olympia.

Economic Development

Revolving Loan Fund (RLF):

The Revolving Loan Fund financially assists start-up and existing business in Skagit County for retaining and creating jobs. The funds (grants) come from the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) program and the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG). This translates to well over 1500 jobs we have helped save or create in Skagit County.
The staff at Skagit Council of Governments is involved in many facets of transportation, economic development and other areas and represents the needs of Skagit County by serving on boards, committees and by partnering with other agencies. SCOG also facilitates cooperation among local agencies by providing an environment for discussion of local and regional issues.

Community Economic Development Strategy (CEDS)

SCOG prepares and houses the Skagit County Community Economic Development Strategy. This plan is intended to serve as a comprehensive statement of plans for countywide economic growth and development