Teamwork. You hear it everywhere. In the office, on the football field and in government. One person cannot do it alone. Take that one step further and say that one city cannot do it alone. That is where the Mid Region Council of Governments comes in.

The multi-county governmental agency, better known as MRCOG, is helping the fast-growing Metro Albuquerque region plan responsibly for the future.

Representing Sandoval, Bernalillo, Valencia and Torrance counties, MRCOG works on planning services in the areas of transportation, agriculture, workforce development, employment growth, land-use, water and economic development. “We can do more things together as a region than the cities or counties by themselves,” MRCOG Executive Director Lawrence Rael said. “This is one big metro area and you must think of it as a region. We can do more with economies of scale.”

For example, instead of Rio Rancho and Bernalillo each having a wastewater treatment plant and possibly one day Corrales having one, it would be cheaper, according to Rael, for the cities to share a wastewater treatment plant.

Rael explained that every five years MRCOG updates its 25-year plan as it relates to planning issues.

In addition to updating the plan, the members also perform a budget analysis and prioritize projects for the next three years.

“This is where the rubber meets the road,” Rael said. “You have to collaborate and work together.”

He explained that when projects are prioritized, there must be money to do the projects. MRCOG can’t list a project in hopes of getting money from the federal or state government, but must have already received the funds.

MRCOG also provides a forum for groups and individual communities to meet and address regional issues. By working together as a region, MRCOG is able to identify and implement short and long term policy decisions that are critical to a healthy community and prosperous New Mexico.

As with most government agencies, you would probably think MRCOG is in some huge modern building, much like Rio Rancho’s or Albuquerque’s City Hall. But actually, MRCOG is housed in an old mansion constructed in 1902. The building is on the National Historic Registry.

The Department of Transportation utilizes the building to house its camera system.

Workers using multiple cameras monitor the interstates and major thoroughfares throughout the state. For example, if a dust storm were occurring in Deming, then the DOT could advise motorists to use a different route. Also, if a crash blocks the roadways, the DOT could inform motorists.

The cameras also aid law enforcement. Let’s say police are on the lookout for a red van with a specific license plate. Monitors could look for that red van on the screen.

Much of the transportation planning support, MRCOG provides to the outlying areas of the region occurs through the Rural Transportation Planning Organization, and to the urban core through the Metropolitan Planning Organization. The majority of data collection and analysis work is performed region-wide and can be customized to meet individual needs. MRCOG also manages the Rail Runner Express.

Living in the desert, water is a precious commodity. Planning for how the area will meet future water needs is an important function of MRCOG, according to Rael.

Having a good-paying job is one of the most important things to a person, according to Sandoval County Commissioner Jack Thomas.

Through the Workforce Connection of Central New Mexico, Business and Career Centers are assisting area employers while providing quality resources for people exploring career opportunities.

MRCOG also provides a summary of the region’s economic conditions and recommended activities for growth and development.