Benton-Franklin Council of Governments: BFCG celebrating period of growth and transition
In 2020, after 25 years in one location, the Benton-Franklin Council of Governments (BFCG) will move to a new office that will be more functional to our agency’s staff and members. BFCG staff will be able to work in a commercial area in a more productive environment that also allows BFCG to hold its meetings on-site instead of searching out alternate partner agency meeting facilities. The new office will be at 587 Stevens in Richland with a ribbon cutting to be scheduled in early summer when the move is complete.
The BFCG has been working with local governments in our community for over 50 years to coordinate on regional transportation and economic development issues. Our mission is to support and coordinate with our partner agencies in planning for the region’s future. With the rapid growth this area has experienced, coordination between jurisdictions and also with federal and state agencies is a key component to receiving project funding and planning for the future of our region.
At BFCG, Benton and Franklin counties, along with cities, ports, transit, state and federal agencies work together to develop policies and make decisions about regional issues and project funding strategies. As the region grows, BFCG is committed to growing with it and providing coordination on issues that are the fundamentals of our governmental agency.
Transportation Planning and Programming
The BFCG transportation staff has made progress on many projects recently and is looking forward to undertaking many more. In 2019, the area’s Congestion Management Process was updated, a review and update of the regional traffic forecasting model was begun, an air quality awareness campaign was conducted and over $15 million of federal transportation funds was awarded to projects sponsored by local agencies.
The regional Active Transportation Plan is currently being developed and another major effort will start this summer – the development of a new long-range Metropolitan/Regional Transportation Plan (which only happens every five years) That plan will address the development of all modes of transportation in the planning area through the year 2045. It will take into account current and future land use development patterns and population growth projections and alternatives for the transportation system within financial limitations. That planning effort, like other BFCG work, will be done in coordination with local member agencies as well as state and federal partners.
Economic Development Strategies
The Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) is a living document that is updated yearly as one of the goals of the BFCG’s Economic Development District. The CEDS process includes assessing the current economic status of the region and working on strategies to enhance economic growth and resiliency. The CEDS committee works on strategies and also identifies and reviews projects that may apply for Economic Development Administration or other economic development funding. Infrastructure projects of the cities, counties and ports will create opportunities to assist businesses searching for sites within the region and retain and create additional jobs.
About BFCG
BFCG was established in 1966 as a voluntary association of local governments in the two-county region. It is structured under state law as a Regional Planning Commission, a Council of Governments, and Regional Transportation Planning Organization. BFCG is federally designated as the Metropolitan Planning Organization for Benton and Franklin counties as well as Burbank in Walla Walla County and as the Economic Development District for Benton and Franklin counties. For more information visit our website at www.BFCOG.us and on Facebook.
This story was originally published April 23, 2020 at 5:01 PM with the headline "Benton-Franklin Council of Governments: BFCG celebrating period of growth and transition."