About Maricopa Association of Governments

The Maricopa Association of Governments (MAG) is a Council of Governments (COG) that serves as the regional agency for the metropolitan Phoenix area. MAG is also the designated Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) for regional planning in the Maricopa County region.

MAG provides regional planning and policy decisions in areas of transportation, air quality, environment analysis, regional development, and social services. You can learn more about the planning activities in which MAG is involved. When MAG was formed in 1967, the elected officials recognized the need for long range planning and policy development on a regional scale. They realized that many issues such as transportation and air quality affected residents beyond the borders of their individual jurisdictions. MAG was founded in the spirit of cooperation. MAG members believe that the many diverse cities and towns in Maricopa County can do more than coexist. By uniting, they can solve common problems, take an active role in long range regional issues and forcefully address concerns that affect all of the communities. Click for more information on the history of the Maricopa Association of Governments. For more information you can contact one of MAG's staff resources.

MAG is the designated Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) for transportation planning in the Maricopa County region. MAG has also been designated by the Governor's Office to serve as the principal planning agency for the region in a number of areas including air quality, water quality and solid waste management. In addition, through an Executive Order from the Governor, MAG develops population estimates and projections for the region. For the Bylaws and Articles of incorporation see more about the purpose of MAG.