Santee-Lynches Regional Council of Governments (SLCOG) is one of ten (10) regional, sub-state districts in South Carolina. Regional Councils of Government (COGs) are voluntary associations of local governments formed in accordance with State law to provide a structured method of intergovernmental coordination, cooperation, and collaboration on a multi-jurisdictional level. Santee-Lynches serves the counties and cities of Clarendon, Kershaw, Lee and Sumter. COGs provide a diversity of services requested by their local governments including: grant resource identification and administration; local and regional planning; economic development assistance; workforce training and development; assistance for the aging; affordable housing; community development; water and sewer development; transportation; public safety; and inter-governmental management assistance, to name just a few. COGs do not pass legislation, enforce laws, or levy taxes. Their purpose is to work with local governments and public agencies to enhance efficiency and effectiveness. COGs are a means of bringing the public and private sector leaders of a region together to determine needs, to set priorities, to develop alternative solutions to common problems, and to capitalize on mutually beneficial opportunities. SLCOG is is governed by a Board of Directors composed of twenty-nine (29) representatives of member municipal and county local governments and area legislative delegations that set the Council’s annual work program and budget. While COGs are defined as political subdivisions of the State, they do not have the powers or authority that the cities and counties possess. SLCOG, like its statewide counterparts, continually seeks to foster the greater understanding of regional issues and opportunities. We endeavor to facilitate mutual effort and consensus among member municipalities and counties in addressing the challenges that lie ahead for State and local municipalities in the coming years.