A region is a group of neighboring local communities joined economically, socially and geographically, but not consolidated governmentally. There are 18 regions in North Carolina. The counties of Cleveland, McDowell, Polk and Rutherford and the municipalities of Alexander Mills, Belwood, Boiling Springs, Bostic, Casar, Chimney Rock, Columbus, Earl, Ellenboro, Fallston, Forest City, Grover, Kings Mountain, Kingstown, Lake Lure, Lattimore, Lawndale, Marion, Mooresboro, Old Fort, Patterson Springs, Polkville, Ruth, Rutherfordton, Saluda, Shelby, Spindale, Tryon and Waco. It is an organization founded, sustained by and tied to the 29 local governments through state enabling legislation. Its prime purpose is local government cooperation to deal with common problems that a single unit cannot adequately handle.
Members meet quarterly to plan programs and set policies and goals to benefit the entire region.
The professional staff carries out approved programs and policies and provides local governments and agencies with grant and technical assistance. The Planning Commission assist local governments with planning and decision making through collecting data, identifying area problems, developing means to meet those challenges and adopting and implementing programs. It has stimulated cooperation among local units of government. It has improved state and federal cooperation in solving regional problems, acting as the prime local vehicle for Appalachian Regional Commission programs, for example. It has developed a Regional Land Use Plan and assisted members with local plans and ordinances to manage growth.