Frequently Asked Questions

The Middle Georgia Regional Commission is a regional planning and development agency serving the communities of Central Georgia since 1965.  The MGRC provides technical assistance to the local governments of the twenty cities and eleven counties located in Middle Georgia.  Professional services are provided in the areas of planning, economic development, public administration, information technology, and elderly services.

There are 12 Regional Commissions in the state, including the Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC).  Every local government in the state is located within the service boundary of a Regional Commission.

Although Regional Commissions operate and are governed independently from one another, they do provide common functions and services.  Specifically, the powers, duties, obligations and immunities shared by all Regional Commissions are set forth in Section 50-8-2 et al of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated (O.C.G.A.).  In addition, Regional Commissions provide different services from one another as dictated by their respective governing Councils.  This is due in part to the diversity of planning and development needs found throughout the geographic regions in Georgia.

The MGRC is a regional planning and development organization that is self-governed by the local communities in Middle Georgia.  The MGRC has a regional governing council that is derived from a select group of local officials and private citizens from each of the counties and incorporated areas (cities) in Middle Georgia.  Also, the Governor, Lt. Governor and Speaker of the House each appoint council members from the service region to serve on the governing council.  This Council is responsible for establishing MGRC bylaws, making rules and regulations, setting policy and providing general oversight to the MGRC.  In sum, the MGRC is governed by the very communities it serves.

In addition to the governing council, the MGRC receives specific oversight from other agencies regarding non-local work program elements.  For example, if a grant or contract is awarded to the MGRC from a state or federal source, the MGRC is required to follow the requisite standards and guidelines put forth by the funding agency.  Therefore, various audits and other requests for information are a routine part of the MGRC work program.

The Middle Georgia Regional Commission service region (Region 6) consists of twenty-one cities and eleven counties in Middle Georgia. The MGRC service jurisdiction spans over 3,600 square miles and has a resident population of over 509,000 people.

As defined in Section 3.01 of the MGRC Bylaws,   “Membership on the Middle Georgia Regional Commission Council shall consist of three (3) members from each county within the region, and each must be a resident of the county he or she represents; three (3) members appointed by the Governor; one (1) member appointed by the Lieutenant Governor; and one (1) member appointed by the Speaker of the House. Additionally, each county shall appoint two (2) Associate Members. All members of the Commission Council must be residents of the Middle Georgia Regional Commission region.”

To view the Bylaws, click HERE.

The MGRC is funded by state, federal and local government sources.  On the local level, cities and counties located within the service region pay mandatory membership dues on a per capita basis to the MGRC.  Membership dues help support the MGRC local technical assistance and provide matching resources for available state and federal grants.  On the state level, the MGRC is funded by the following agencies:  Community Affairs (DCA), Transportation (GDOT), Human Resources (DHR), and Natural Resources (DNR).    State funds allow the MGRC to administer planning and development services.  Other state agencies provide funds to the MGRC on an ad hoc basis as various contracts for services are executed or grant funds are awarded.  On the federal level, funds are provided by the U.S. Department of Commerce through its Economic Development Administration.  Federal funds allow the MGRC to assist local communities with economic development initiatives.  Other federal agencies provide funds to the MGRC on an ad hoc basis as various contracts for services are executed or grant funds are awarded.

Overall, the approximate funding ratio for the MGRC is as follows:

1. 35% state funds
2. 39% federal funds
3. 26% local dues.

The Technical Assistance (TA) Request Process is designed to ensure that requests for services coming from member cities and counties reflect the collective desire of the respective governing body.  All requests are reviewed and approved by the MGRC governing Council at the their monthly meeting, the second Thursday of each month.  A TA request letter is required before substantial work can begin on a request.  Listed below are the steps involved in a typical TA request process:

1. Contact the MGRC to discuss the potential request and determine if staff can provide the services needed.
2. If so, draft a technical assistance request letter and have the Mayor or County Commission Chairperson sign it.  Please include the nature of the request and the name of the contact person the MGRC will work with in completing the request, as well as any deadlines, if applicable.
3. Please mail the request letter to the following:
   Laura Mathis, Executive Director
   Middle Georgia Regional Commission
   Attn: Technical Assistance Request
   175 Emery Highway, Suite C
   Macon, GA 31217
4. The following week, please call and confirm receipt of your request.
5. Requests are reviewed by staff, and submitted to the MGRC governing Council for approval at the next scheduled board meeting.
6. Upon approval, MGRC staff will begin work on the request, working closely with the contact person provided.
7. Upon completion, MGRC staff will mail a transmittal letter to the Mayor or County Commission Chairperson stating that the request has been completed.

The MGRC provides technical assistance services to the communities of Middle Georgia in the areas of planning, economic development, public administration, information technology, and aging services.  Please refer to the Services section for more detailed information.  Also, browse the Annual Report section for detailed information regarding the services provided in each of these areas on a historic basis.

Yes. The MGRC, as an organization identified by Section 50-18-70 of the Georgia Code (OCGA), adheres to the proper release and disclosure of public information to the public. Please refer to the Georgia Open Records Act for more information regarding the procedures followed by the MGRC to release public information.

If filing a request under the Georgia Open Records Act, please contact Kim Stanton, Records Officer (kstanton@mg-rc.org).

Regional Commissions in the state of Georgia are members of a statewide organization called the Georgia Association of Regional Commissions (GARC).  The GARC markets and promotes statewide initiatives for regional commissions.  You can learn more about regional commission roles and responsibilities by visiting the GARC website.

• Mail: 175 Emery Highway, Suite C  Macon, Georgia 31217
• Email: gro.cr-gm@ofni
• Telephone: (478) 751-6160  Fax: (478) 751-6517
• Aging Services: (478) 751-6466 or 1-866-552-4464