About Us
The Northwest Louisiana Council of Governments (NLCOG) is an intergovernmental
association of the local governments for the
Metropolitan Planning Area of Bossier, Caddo, DeSoto,
and Webster Parishes established to assist in planning for common needs, cooperating for the mutual benefit, and coordinating for
sound regional development. The vision of NLCOG is to conduct regional planning, facilitate coordination and cooperation, serve as a
source of information and expertise on issues affecting northwest Louisiana, and assist member agencies in accessing funding to
accomplish local and regional goals.
As the Regional Planning Council, our purpose is to strengthen both the individual and collective power of local governments and to
help them recognize regional opportunities, eliminate unnecessary duplication, and make joint decisions for the benefit of the
community. This is achieved by developing and implementing constructive and workable policies and programs for solving area-wide
problems. These issues include transportation, economic development, health, safety, welfare, education, quality of life, and
regional development issues.
NLCOG also functions as our region's Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) as recognized by the state of Louisiana, the
Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), and the Federal Transit Administration (FTA). MPOs are required by federal law in areas with a
population of 50,000 or more.