In the current global environment, regional solutions must be pursued to effectively address many of the issues confronting local governments. Regionalism is working together and sharing resources to take advantage of opportunities. Regional councils can assist local governments in confronting regional economic and environmental challenges and can facilitate effective regional action on issues bigger than any single government can address on it own. Regional Councils promote intergovernmental cooperation by
- responding to state and federal mandates for regional strategic planning and program development,
- providing a shared professional staff to supplement local capabilities,
- sharing information and solutions about common problems and issues which are not confined by political boundaries, and
- providing opportunities for cooperative efforts which create “economies of scale” that offer more efficient and effective programs.