Councils of governments highlight transportation role and say Meals on Wheels faces funding shortfalls

Representatives of South Carolina’s councils of governments told the Senate Constitutional Subcommittee that COGs perform transportation planning, economic-development and aging services, and that at least one region currently has over 800 people on its waiting list for home-delivered meals.

COG presenters briefed the subcommittee on their statewide roles and requested sustained funding, noting an appropriation of $1,500,000 that is divided by formula among the 10 councils of governments. Presenters described COG work in economic development (including leveraging Economic Development Administration funds), transportation planning and grant administration for water and sewer projects through the Rural Infrastructure Authority.

On transportation, presenters explained how rural planning organizations and metropolitan planning…