FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Get to know SMCOG [Sim-Cog].
01
What is SMCOG?
The Southwest Missouri Council of Governments (SMCOG) is an association of local governments and stakeholders, and is the federally-designated Economic Development District for the ten-county area of Southwest Missouri. SMCOG oversees the growth and development of the region and provides professional services and information to assist cities and counties with development issues. ​
02
What do we do?
Established in May of 1989, SMCOG offers a unique set of programs at the local and regional level. The purpose of the Council is to promote area-wide dissemination of information regarding issues and problems and to provide technical and advisory services for community betterment.
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See our services page for further information
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03
Who can we help?
SMCOG serves ten Southwest Missouri counties in the Springfield area. These include Barry, Christian, Dade, Dallas, Greene, Lawrence, Polk, Stone, Taney, and Webster counties. SMCOG is one of 19 active regional planning organizations throughout Missouri.
04
What makes SMCOG different from other Council of Governments?
SMCOG is administered and operated through the Center for Resource Planning and Management at Missouri State University. SMCOG is the only regional council in Missouri affiliated with a university. Through this unique partnership, SMCOG has access to a wide variety of resources and technical assistance at the university. SMCOG's interaction with Southwest Missouri's local governments enhances Missouri State's Public Affairs Mission.
05
Where does SMCOG get their funding?
SMCOG operates under a variety of funding sources from the local, state and federal levels. Local revenues are derived from membership fees and charges for extra or special services such as local planning, grant administration, or technical contracts.
List of Commonly Used Acronyms:
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AADT: Annual Average Daily Traffic
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AASHTO: American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials
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ADA: Americans with Disabilities Act
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ADT: Average Daily Traffic
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ARPA: American Rescue Plan Act
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CARES Act: Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act
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CDBG: Community Development Block Grant Program
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CEDS: Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy
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CID: Community Improvement District
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COG: Council of Government
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CRISI: Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements
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DED: Missouri Department of Economic Development
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DNR: Missouri Department of Natural Resources
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EDA: U.S. Economic Development Administration
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FHWA: Federal Highway Administration
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FRA: Federal Railroad Administration
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FTA: Federal Transit Administration
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IIJA: Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act
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LOS: Level of Service
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LRTP: Long Range Transportation Plan
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LWCF: Land and Water Conservation Fund
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MACOG: Missouri Association of Councils of Government
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MHTC: Missouri Highway and Transportation Commission
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MPO: Metropolitan Planning Organization
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MML: Missouri Municipal League
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MoDOT: Missouri Department of Transportation
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MSHP: Missouri State Highway Patrol
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NADO: National Association of Development Organizations
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NBI: National Bridge Inventory
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OTO: Ozarks Transportation Organization
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RAISE: Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity
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RPC: Regional Planning Commission
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RTP: Recreational Trails Program
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SMCOG: Southwest Missouri Council of Governments
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SRTS: Safe Routes to School
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STIP: State Transportation Improvement Program
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TAC: Transportation Advisory Committee
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TAP: Transportation Alternatives Program
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TDM: Transportation Demand Management
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TEAP: Traffic Engineering Assistance Program
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TIP: Transportation Improvement Program
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TMA: Transportation Management Area
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USDOT: United States Department of Transportation
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VMT: Vehicles Mile Traveled
