THE following is a sample of YVCOG programs:

TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE:

Growth Management Planning
Current Planning
Comprehensive Parks Planning
Grant Writing and Administration
Surveys and Other Research

Smaller cities and towns frequently lack the time and resources to accomplish time consuming or complex tasks. The YVCOG serves as a resource for those jurisdictions and other public entities in the Yakima Valley. The Conference maintains an experienced, knowledgeable staff, well-versed in many areas of technical assistance. The YVCOG also has available a library of reference materials and through its daily work activities has broad knowledge of other resources to assist all our member communities.


HOUSING REHABILITATION:

The Yakima Valley Conference of Governments (YVCOG) offers a variety of housing rehabilitation-related assistance to interested communities in the Yakima Valley area. The YVCOG has been developing and administering housing rehabilitation and weatherization programs since 1984 and has successfully developed and conducted 21 separate housing rehabilitation programs with the Yakima Valley.

REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION:

The timely and efficient movement of agricultural goods, tourists, and citizens throughout the Yakima Valley depends on a reliable transportation system. Regional transportation planning is a complex process which requires all YVCOG members to work together and identify regional transportation needs. Federal legislation enacted in 1965, and State legislation passed in 1990, require a coordinated transportation planning process for the Yakima Metropolitan area and the Yakima Valley region. The YVCOG transportation section assists valley jurisdictions in coordinating their transportation planning programs as required by this state and federal legislation. Benefits include, increased communication and cooperation among the valley's jurisdictions and the development of a more efficient regional transportation system. Working to meet these federal and state mandates has assured a continuous flow of federal and state transportation funds to all of our valley's jurisdictions.

COMMUTE TRIP REDUCTION:

The Commute Trip Reduction (CTR) program assists Yakima Valley cities, towns and employers affected by this state law. The YVCOG helps employers create and implement trip reduction programs and promotes the goals of Transportation Demand Management. The assistance provided by the YVCOG to those affected employers has helped them to reduce traffic congestion, air pollution, and fuel usage by employees commuting to their worksites. The YVCOG also assists impacted jurisdictions in administering their local CTR ordinances.


GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEM:

The geographic information system (GIS) at the YVCOG is a computer based mapping and analysis tool which assists communities and agencies with a variety of planning activities. The GIS contains digital information concerning land use, transportation, education, health, and human services. The YVCOG has completed GIS projects which include: health studies, traffic safety, annexations, redistricting, land use, and transportation analyses. These projects assist communities to better understand land use decisions, place facilities and services, and allocate resources. The GIS will continue to provide assistance as communities discover new uses for this technology.

Yakima Valley Conference Of Governments-Established 1966