By: Sarah Taylor
Local construction underway | Image Credits: Council of Governments’ project update
As Happy Valley community members go about their days — visiting parks and libraries, taking advantage of amenities like recycling centers and more — there’s an organization in the background, with a budget of approximately $24 million and more than 300 employees, quietly at work.
Since its founding in 1969, the Centre Region Council of Governments has provided essential services that enhance the quality of life for residents, visitors and businesses alike. But, what exactly does the Council of Governments do?
According to former Executive Director Eric Norenberg, “The Centre Region Council of Governments supports the residents and visitors who live, work and play in the diverse communities that make up the Centre Region by providing cost-effective, consistent and high-quality public services.”
Norenberg, says that at its core, the Council of Governments addresses a pressing need: the delivery of cost-effective, consistent and high-quality public services. By pooling resources and expertise, the Council of Governments ensures that a diverse range of community needs are met efficiently.
“The Centre Region Council of Governments succeeds in Happy Valley because of the willingness of our elected officials to collaborate and to work together to provide high quality municipal services to their residents,”
The extensive array of services now includes fire protection, emergency management, parks and recreation, library services, code administration, refuse and recycling, and comprehensive county-wide transportation planning.
The Council of Governments was formed to “promote coordinated land use and infrastructure planning, to facilitate the exchange of information, to provide a forum for discussion of regional issues, and to produce cost effective municipal services,” Norenberg stated, adding that the uniqueness of the Council of Governments lies in its collaborative structure.
Serving municipalities including the State College Borough, College Township, Ferguson Township, Halfmoon Township, Harris Township, and Patton Township, the Council of Governments brings together local governments to tackle challenges collectively. This shared governance model fosters open dialogue and facilitates the exchange of ideas, creating a forum for addressing regional issues that affect all community members.
“The Centre Region Council of Governments succeeds in Happy Valley because of the willingness of our elected officials to collaborate and to work together to provide high quality municipal services to their residents,” Norenberg proudly explained.
In January, Norenberg informed the General Forum, the Council of Governments’ governing body, that he planned to retire on June 1st. While the process to find the perfect candidate to replace Norenberg’s role was a long one, the Council of Governments has confidently hired Benjamin Estell.
Fergusion Township Manager and Search Committee Chair, Centrice Martin shared that he is “excited to share that all members of the Search Committee are thrilled to welcome Mr. Estell. We are confident that Mr. Estell will hit the ground running to serve the CRCOG based on his wealth of experience and successes in his 20 years of managing municipal services.”
Estell is set to uptake his executive director duties on Aug. 26th. Before coming to the Council of Governments, Estell served as the borough manager and secretary of the Borough of Dormont in PA’s Allegheny County.
“After nine wonderful years in the Borough of Dormont, I am thrilled to continue my professional journey with the Centre Region Council of Governments. Partnerships have been a cornerstone of my career, and the COG has been a national leader in cooperative governance. I look forward to becoming a part of the Centre Region team and finding new ways to provide superior service throughout our communities,” Estell stated in the Council of Governments press release.
The need for intergovernmental cooperation has never been more crucial. As the organization’s 55th anniversary approaches, with Estell taking the lead, the Centre Region Council of Governments is excited to continue serving the community and supporting those who live, work and play in the region.
Learn more about the Centre Region Council of Governments and its services at https://www.crcog.net/.
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