Message from the Director

Welcome to the Western Arizona Council of Governments (WACOG) website.

Western Arizona Council of Governments is a voluntary association of local governments originally established in 1971. The organization covers La Paz, Mohave and Yuma counties in Arizona and is bordered on the West by the Colorado River, Utah to the North and Mexico to the South, covering 23,300 square miles. Some cities along the Mexican Border, such as San Luis (54.7%) and Somerton (39.0%) have experienced remarkable growth from 2000 to 2006. Other cities, such as Kingman (37.7%), Lake Havasu City (31.0%) and Bullhead City (18.2%) have experienced in-migration from neighboring states during the same period of time. This growth in all three Counties has put a strain on the infrastructure and requires local elected officials to search for innovative ways to keep up with the growth. In addition to growth in permanent residents, these numbers do not reflect the winter visitor population that visits the region, which brings in over 100,000 temporary residents to Yuma County alone. Western Arizona consist primarily of three ethnical groups; Caucasian, Hispanic and Native American. Several reservations reside within Western Arizona including the Hualapai, Colorado River Indian Tribe and the Cocopah tribes. This large geographical and racially diversified region presents challenges in planning, advocacy, and delivery of services to rural segments of Western Arizona.

WACOG is a governmental non-profit dedicated to serving its member entities, income challenged households, and vulnerable populations in Yuma, La Paz, and Mohave Counties. WACOG is sponsored by every incorporated city or town in the three county geographic areas; Mohave County, the City of Kingman, the City of Lake Havasu City, the City of Bullhead City, the Town of Colorado City, La Paz County, the Town of Parker, the Town of Quartzsite, Yuma County, the City of Yuma, the City of San Luis, the City of Somerton, and the Town of Wellton. WACOGs Executive Board is made up of sixteen local elected officials representing those entities.

Western Arizona Council of Governments (WACOG) is an umbrella organization with three primary departments under its umbrella; the Community Action Agency (CAA), the Head Start provider, and the Area Agency on Aging (AAA). In addition to these specific departments, other functions of the organization are to provide transportation planning in conjunction with the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT), economic development in partnership with cities and municipalities, and Social Service and Community Development planning within the communities served. WACOG works on a broad range of issues and programs including: Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), Community Services Block Grant (CSBG), Head Start, Health, Low-Income Home Energy Assistance (LIHEAP), Nutrition Services for Older Americans, Social Service Block Grant (SSBG), Transit and Transportation, Tax and Income Policies, Weatherization Assistance, and Welfare Reform. Most of these programs have the intent of assisting low/moderate income clients. WACOGs purpose in providing these services is to assist clients in their efforts to become self-sufficient.

I welcome you to search our website for the programs and services that meet your needs.