Nefco

NEFCO was created as a voluntary organization to enable local officials to discuss problems facing the Region and to develop strategies to cope with them. NEFCO also serves as a forum through which local, state and federal planning programs can be more effectively coordinated. The organization is directed by a General Policy Board which serves as t... he decision-making body and meets monthly. The Policy Board is comprised of representatives from the counties of Portage, Stark, Summit and Wayne and the cities of Akron, Canton, Kent and Wooster. Of the Board's 3 6 active members, 15 are elected officials, 19 are public officials and 2 are private appointees. NEFCO's primary purpose is to serve the county, city, village and township governments and the citizens within the four-county region. On behalf of these local units of government, NEFCO produces a series of studies or plans supporting the local plans in order to help maximize the return of federal tax dollars to the Region. Through communication, planning, coordination and technical assistance, NEFCO addresses issues which cross jurisdictional boundaries. Such issues as the environment, economic development, transportation, housing and land development are regional problems which require locally conceived regional solutions. NEFCO's powers of authority do not supersede those of local governments. R egional planning organizations, such as NEFCO, do not change the boundaries or authority of existing jurisdictions. However, through NEFCO, a variety of regional issues are discussed and actions taken or recommended. NEFCO does not have the authority to force member governments to comply with its decisions, but it does use a variety of methods to encourage voluntary participation in policy development and implementation. For example, NEFCO prepares and adopts regional water quality management and economic development plans which increase the Region's eligibility for federal funding consideration; it reviews applications for federal funds from local governments and ...Read More