Southeastern Connecticut Council of Governments
About
The Southeastern Connecticut Council of Governments (SCCOG) is a public agency with representatives from twenty-two towns, cities, and boroughs, formed to provide a basis for intergovernmental cooperation in dealing with a wide range of issues. SCCOG was organized in October of 1992, taking over the mission of the Southeastern Connecticut Regional Planning Agency (SCRPA), which had been in existence since January 1961. SCCOG is the federally designated Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) for transportation within southeastern Connecticut. SCCOG membership also includes the Mohegan Tribe and Mashantucket-Pequot Tribes (affiliate, non-voting members), CT Department of Transportation (non-voting), and Southeast Area Transit (SEAT, votes on MPO matters).
Primary focus areas of SCCOG are regional planning, which includes producing studies and plans that affect the responsible development of the region; transportation planning and prioritization of State and Federal transportation funding, as the region’s Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO); and providing regional services, which include staffing assistance to local land use commissions and exploring additional avenues for cost savings and inter-municipal cooperation.
Regional Planning
Duties assigned to Councils of Governments in Connecticut include establishing a plan of conservation and development for the region, assisting member municipalities, as well as State and other public and private agencies, and performing a variety of advisory review functions. SCCOG undertakes numerous studies and initiatives each year, under the guidance of member municipalities.
Transportation Planning
Under Federal transportation law, SCCOG functions as the region’s Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO), responsible for coordinating transportation planning in southeastern Connecticut.
Regional and Other Services
In addition to its statutorily assigned duties, SCCOG’s functions include providing a basis for intergovernmental cooperation, aiding in the solution of regional issues, serving as a technical resource to its member municipalities, and providing a collective voice for the region.
News
Draft 2025-2028 Transportation Improvement Plan (TIP) Now Available for Public Comment
Public Comment is requested on the Draft 2025-2028 TIP, 2025-2028 State Transportation Improvement Plan (STIP), and the February 2024 Air Quality Conformity Determination. SCCOG will hold a virtual public information session/hearing on April 2. Comments will be accepted through April 19. Please visit the above link for additional information.
Transportation Alternatives Program Funding Now Available
The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) is soliciting candidate projects for Transportation Alternatives (TA) Program funding. SCCOG is responsible for collecting, reviewing, and prioritizing applications for candidate projects in southeastern CT. Applications for funding must be received by SCCOG by Monday, April 15, 2024. The Transportation Alternatives Program provides funding for a variety of transportation projects such as pedestrian and bicycle facilities; construction of turnouts, overlooks, and viewing areas; community improvements such as historic preservation and vegetation management; environmental mitigation related to stormwater and habitat connectivity; recreational trails; safe routes to school projects; and vulnerable road user safety assessments. Please click the above link for full program information and application materials.
Brownfield Assessment Projects RFQ/P
The Southeastern Connecticut Council of Governments (SCCOG) is accepting statements of qualifications and scopes of services with associated fee proposal from engineering/environmental consulting firms and teams to complete environmental assessments of four properties and structures located within the Southeastern CT region.
The Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) awarded SCCOG multiple separate Brownfield Assessment Grants to complete assessment work for each location. This RFQ/P is a combined request for one qualified/licensed environmental firm experienced in brownfield site assessment to perform requested services at all four of the enumerated brownfield sites. The full Request for Qualifications and Proposals document can be found at the following link: https://tinyurl.com/yvnb7tt9. RFQ/P submissions are due March 28th by 5:00 PM.
2024 LOTCIP Solicitation
SCCOG is pleased to announce a solicitation for eligible projects under the Local Transportation Capital Improvement Program (LOTCIP). Municipalities are eligible for State grants for transportation projects providing 100% of elligible construction costs. The 2024 solicitation seeks to allocate $15,000,000 in funding. Read the announcement for more information! At 9 a.m. on March 26th SCCOG provide a Pre-Application Presentation, meeting information will be posted and the session will be recorded.
SCCOG_MEMO_2024LOTCIPSolicitation.pdf
Active Transportation Microgrants Now Available
The Southeastern Connecticut Council of Governments is pleased to announce that it is partnering with the Connecticut Department of Transportation to offer Active Transportation Microgrants of up to $5,000 to eligible recipients to fund small active transportation projects such as bicycle equipment and programs. Eligible recipients are schools, school districts, municipalities and non-profit organizations. Applications will be reviewed quarterly with an initial application deadline of March 22, 2024. Please click the above link for additional information.
Short-Term Rental Regulation:
Updated SCCOG White Paper Now Available
The Southeastern Connecticut Council of Governments has updated its white paper reviewing options for regulating short-term rentals, originally published in 2019 and revised in 2021. As the short-term rental industry matures, more municipalities are evaluating the best way to ensure short-term rentals are safe and do not negatively impact their communities. Click here for the white paper.