SEMCOG’s data analysis, technical expertise, and intergovernmental cooperation are the foundation of regional solutions. As a SEMCOG member, consider these and other SEMCOG resources as your own. The knowledge and effort that fuel regional policies and planning efforts can be leveraged to improve quality of life at the local level. At SEMCOG, we are eager to help members realize a return on their investment. The member services listed here demonstrate how our staff can help you translate regional thinking into local action.

Amy O'Leary, executive director at SEMCOG, smiling and wearing glasses, a gray plaid blazer, and a black top, standing indoors with a softly blurred background.

SEMCOG can help your community achieve local goals and contribute to the regional success of Southeast Michigan. This brief guide to member services illustrates the variety of ways SEMCOG supports local government and education members. More importantly, it shows a glimpse of what is possible through engagement with SEMCOG and your fellow members. We all do better when we work together!

-Amy O’Leary, Executive Director
View Member Services Brochure

what’s next at SEMCOG?

SEMCOG hosts various events on a weekly basis to engage with our members and key stakeholders on regional plans and initiatives. To see a snapshot of upcoming SEMCOG General Assembly, Executive Committee, task force, working group, and training (SEMCOG University) events.

View What’s Next

Local Technical Assistance

SEMCOG staff provide direct services to member communities, including:

  • One-on-one technical assistance for local challenges and current planning opportunities; 
  • Guidance on integrating regional plans and policies to maximize local outcomes; and 
  • Assistance with funding and resource opportunities.

The direct services provided by staff evolve to align with local and regional projects and priorities. Areas of emphasis for assistance currently include:

  • Economic Development – corridor revitalization, quality places, talent, workforce development;
  • Broadband – infrastructure data and connection rates, digital equity and inclusion, affordability, cybersecurity;
  • Transportation – safety, nonmotorized, complete streets, multimodal, electric vehicles, emerging technologies;
  • Environment – green infrastructure, climate resiliency and flooding, infrastructure coordination, funding opportunities;
  • Parks and Recreation – needs analysis, planning for local and regional trail connections;
  • Data and Mapping Services – customized maps, data analysis for grants and plan updates;
  • Video Services – highlight communities solving problems and implementing plans, cultural and natural assets throughout Southeast Michigan; and
  • Munetrix – Enhanced access to Munetrix community fiscal data is available upon request by SEMCOG members.

Data and Maps

SEMCOG’s data services include:

  • Timely, community-specific data and information; 
  • Cutting-edge mapping;
  • Regional and local demographics; and
  • Economic development analysis. 

SEMCOG maintains the following data and mapping tools to support effective planning:

  • Master Plan Data and Tools – provides resources and data to assist communities in Southeast Michigan with developing master plans. It offers access to a variety of datasets, interactive maps, and tools for analyzing population, housing, employment, and land use trends.
  • Community Profiles – Current and forecasted data for populations, households, jobs, transportation, and environment/land use data at the regional, county, and community levels. Customized profiles can be created by grouping communities together to view school districts or legislative districts.
  • Interactive Mapping – Customize your viewing and downloading of equity emphasis areas, census and forecast data, traffic volumes, economic trends, broadband availability and usage, nonresidential/residential development projects, pavement and bridge conditions, tree canopy, and aerial imagery.
  • Open Data Portal and GIS (Geographic Information Systems) Users Group – Easily download and share data and mapping information to support regional planning and modeling.
  • Aerial Imagery and Land Cover – Free or discounted access to spring 2023 high-resolution aerial imagery, which is helpful for transportation projects, public works assessments, public safety, property assessment, environmental planning, and more.
  • Resources to explore emerging and timely topics – Broadband, EV, Pedestrian and Bicycle, Flood Risk, Crash and Road Data, Capital Improvement Projects (CIP) Coordination, GREEN dashboard, Water Infrastructure and more.

Education and Networking

SEMCOG facilitates the sharing and exchange of information with members and between members at a variety of in-person and remote workshops, General Assembly meetings, committee and task force meetings, and webinars. All meetings and training sessions are free to members. 

Key information is shared via Regional Update (SEMCOG’s free, bi-weekly e-newsletter); “SEMCOG University” workshops, webinars, and roundtable discussions; member meetups; case studies; presentations at local meetings; our Website; and social media.

Upcoming free training opportunities, as well as past recordings, on a variety of topics of interest to elected leaders and government staff can be found on our Upcoming SEMCOG Universities and On-Demand Webinar Library.

Public Engagement

resources and tools

  • Southeast Michigan Safe Streets – Transportation safety education throughout Southeast Michigan. Safe Streets provides resources to communicate everyone’s responsibility to make safety our top priority on our streets, especially for people who walk, bike, and roll.
  • One Water – Focus is on the responsibility of preserving and upholding the quality of Southeast Michigan’s interrelated drinking water, stormwater, and wastewater systems.
  • Experience Southeast Michigan – Promotes local opportunities to support and strengthen the regional economy. Experience Southeast Michigan videos feature unique local shopping, dining, and cultural experiences throughout Southeast Michigan, at no cost to members.

Tools and apps to educate and assist the public wishing to access Southeast Michigan’s outdoor assets

  • ParkFinder – Map interface features information about park amenities throughout the region, allowing users to see local, county, regional, and state parks, along with private recreation and conservation land.
  • Trail Explorer – Offers interactive image mapping of more than 50 regional land and water trails. In total, Trail Explorer provides virtual access to over 1,000 miles of regional trails, including 570 miles of water and 520 miles of greenways and land trails.
  • Resources to explore emerging and timely topics – Broadband, EV, Pedestrian and Bicycle, Flood Risk, Crash and Road Data, and more.

Policy and Advocacy

As the voice of Southeast Michigan in Lansing and Washington, D.C., SEMCOG amplifies the voice of local government. SEMCOG regularly engages with State and federal partners, providing assistance in addressing challenges and making connections for local governments to discuss with these agencies.

Regulatory – representing the interests of local governments to State committees and rule-making bodies.

SEMCOG Legislative Policy Platform – recommendations are developed based on data and in balance with the needs of all people who live in Southeast Michigan. The platform, adopted on a biannual basis in sync with legislative sessions, reflects the consensus of the region’s local government leaders. 

Legislative district maps – an up-to-date resource with easy-to-find contact information for each of Southeast Michigan’s State and federal legislators. 

Advocacy – engagement with State and federal legislators/officials, advocating for funding and policy positions representing the region.