Massachusetts Regional Planning Agencies

The twelve Massachusetts regional planning agencies are public organizations that encompass a multi-jurisdictional regional community. They are founded on, sustained by and directly tied to local and/or state government laws, agreements or other actions. A regional council serves the local governments and citizens in the region by dealing with issues and needs that cross city, town, county and even state boundaries through communication, planning, policymaking, coordination, advocacy and technical assistance. A regional council seeks to build partnerships and programs that reflect the regional community.

Through its regional council, the regional community can pool its resources to meet challenges involving solid waste, water and wastewater systems, housing, crime, transportation, workforce training, services for elderly, economic development and other issues that cross jurisdictional boundaries. Massachusetts regional planning agencies include the following:

BERKSHIRE REGIONAL PLANNING COMMISSION

BOSTON REGION METROPOLITAN PLANNING ORGANIZATION (MPO)

CAPE COD COMMISSION

CENTRAL MASSACHUSETTS REGIONAL PLANNING COMMISSION

FRANKLIN REGIONAL COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS

MARTHA’S VINEYARD COMMISSION

MERRIMACK VALLEY PLANNING COMMISSION

METROPOLITAN AREA PLANNING COUNCIL

MONTACHUSETT REGIONAL PLANNING COMMISSION

NANTUCKET PLANNING AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION

NORTHERN MIDDLESEX COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS

PIONEER VALLEY PLANNING COMMISSION

OLD COLONY PLANNING COUNCIL

SOUTHEASTERN REGIONAL PLANNING AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT