Region XII Council of Governments was organized in 1973 to assist local governments in Audubon, Carroll, Crawford, Greene, Guthrie, and Sac Counties in western Iowa. Originally chartered to serve grant-writing and planning needs for the area, the COG has grown into the agency that facilitates multi-community collaboration and development of all types, providing initiatives in the region that are needed and otherwise not provided. Region XII COG has three departments - Local Assistance, Workforce Development, and Western Iowa Transit.