Top Of Al Regional Council Of

Top Of Al Regional Council Of Governments (TARCOG), doing business as T A R C O G, is a U.S. local government entity and council of governments serving northern Alabama, headquartered in Huntsville at 5075 Research Dr NW. As a regional planning and development organization, TARCOG functions as an inter-municipal collaborative body serving DeKalb, Jackson, Limestone, Madison, and Marshall Counties. The organization receives federal grant awards to support regional economic development, infrastructure improvements, community capacity building, environmental remediation, and workforce training initiatives across northern Alabama. TARCOG leverages these federal resources to coordinate collaborative regional projects and secure additional federal funding to promote sustainable economic and community advancement throughout its service region.

TARCOG has demonstrated significant capacity in delivering diverse federal grant-funded services across multiple program areas. The organization has served as a prime awardee for major environmental remediation initiatives, including a $1,500,000 EPA Brownfields Multipurpose, Assessment, Revolving Loan Fund, and Cleanup Cooperative Agreement (CFDA 66.818) that runs through September 2028, under which TARCOG will conduct 31 Phase I and 25 Phase II environmental site assessments, develop 15 site-specific cleanup plans, and hold community meetings related to brownfield revitalization in northern Alabama. Additionally, TARCOG received a $600,000 EPA Region 4 brownfields cooperative agreement from 2021-2024 focused on Jackson County site assessment and cleanup planning. The organization has received multiple grants from the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC), including a $540,000 Project Grant (CFDA 23.002) for a three-year economic development and infrastructure initiative spanning September 2025 through August 2028, along with consecutive annual LDD Administrative Grants from 2022-2025. TARCOG also received $400,000 from the Federal Highway Administration under the Safe Streets and Roads for All program (CFDA 20.939) for the TOP OF ALABAMA RPO GUIDE TO ENHANCING TRANSPORTATION SAFETY (TARGETS) project focused on regional transportation safety improvements. Furthermore, TARCOG has received an Economic Development Administration Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) grant to develop an economic roadmap for the five-county region. As a sub-awardee, TARCOG has been the recipient of numerous federal grants flowing through the Alabama Department of Senior Services, including funds for senior services programs such as SHIP (Supportive Housing for the Elderly), Title III nutrition and supportive services (Parts B, C, D, and E), NSIP (Nutrition Services Incentive Program), SCSEP (Senior Community Service Employment Program), ombudsman services, and other aging-related programs that support older adults in the region.