Reports & Publications

The 2024-26 Area Agency on Aging of the Capital Area (AAACAP) Area Plan was developed from an assessment of regional needs as determined by public input that included the participation of older adults, their caregivers, the AAACAP Aging Advisory Committee and other appropriate stakeholders. The plan also includes the outlined AAACAP goals and objectives for FY 2024 – 2026, subject to any limitations of funding and policies provided by the Older American Act and the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC).

The appear plan was approved by HHSC in January 2024.

The 2023 CAPCOG Annual Report highlights the work of CAPCOG’s many divisions throughout the year and documents who served on the COG’s hard working committees.

The Regional Solid Waste Management Plan outlines the activities and priorities that will be initiated in the region throughout the planning period of 2023-2042. The plan includes population and growth patterns, economic activity, waste generation and characteristics, waste management systems, summary of needs and problems, goals and objectives, and an action plan for the region.

CAPCOG analyzed the supply of housing, workers incomes, and regional commuting patterns to understand where there is a need for workforce housing. This analysis in 2022 in conjunction with the Capital Area Economic Development District (CAEDD).

This is virtual report through ARCGIS’s StoryMaps software allowing for readers to explore and engage with both written and graphic content.

Read the report.

The Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) Annual Air Quality Report is prepared by (CAPCOG) for Central Texas Clean Air Coalition members, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). This report serves as the region’s annual “check-in” with EPA as part of the CAC’s participation in the Ozone (O3) and fine particulate matter (PM2.5) Advance Programs (OAP) covering Jan. 1, 2022, through Dec. 31, 2022. Under the most recent MSA definitions promulgated by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) in June 2023, the Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos MSA consists of Bastrop, Caldwell, Hays, Travis, and Williamson counties, which are the same five counties that have been participating in regional air quality planning efforts since 2002.

This report serves as the annual update to the Capital Area Council of Government’s (CAPCOG) 2020-2025 Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS). Within this document we report on completed economic development activities, evaluate our progress towards our goals, and determine goals for the upcoming year. Each year CAPCOG reassess the region’s 5-year CEDS to determine if the overall strategy needs to be adjusted. This year there are no major changes to the overall strategy of the 5-year CEDS.

The 2022 CAPCOG Annual Report encapsulates the hard work CAPCOG, its divisions and committees accomplished during the year by highlighting some of each program’s achievements. The report also includes an unaudited financial summary of the 2022 fiscal year. The 2022 financial audit is available on the CAPCOG transparency page.

This document represents an update to the original Llano County Transportation and Economic Development Plan completed in December 2015. It studies the demographic and economic factors that influence the county’s growth and implications for its transportation infrastructure and economy. It also provides a review and status report for projects identified in 2015, and recommendations based on current data and input from the community.

This report serves as a highlighted summary of the full annual report. It is the region’s annual “check-in” on Ozone (O ) and fine particulate matter (PM) concentrations and activities. The report covers January 1, 2021, through December 31, 2021. The Austin-Round Rock-Georgetown MSA consists of Bastrop, Caldwell, Hays, Travis, and Williamson Counties, which are the same five counties that have  participated in regional air quality planning efforts since the CAC formed in 2002.

This report serves as the region’s annual “check-in” with EPA as part of the CAC’s participation in the Ozone (O3) and fine particulate matter (PM2.5) Advance Programs (OAP). The report covers January 1, 2021, through December 31, 2021. Under the most recent MSA definitions promulgated by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) in March 2020, the Austin-Round Rock-Georgetown MSA consists of Bastrop, Caldwell, Hays, Travis, and Williamson Counties, which are the same five counties that have been participating in regional air quality planning efforts since 2002.

The 2021 CAPCOG Annual Report summarizes the work of CAPCOG’s divisions throughout the year. It highlights the achievements of each program and documents who served on its hard working committees. The report also includes an unaudited financial summary of the 2021 fiscal year.

This analysis modeled select fleet vehicles for City of Austin, Travis County, and the Capital Metropolitan Transit Authority. CAPCOG modeled diesel and biodiesel vehicles of the following vehicle types – Refuse Hauler, School Bus, Transit Bus, Short Haul – Single Unit, and Short Haul – Combination.

Please contact Andrew Hoekzema for the Appendix files.

This report is based on monthly air quality monitoring data from eight monitors located in five counties in the CAPCOG region. It provides details about the activities conducted during the 2021 Ozone Season – March through November – and key performance metrics.

The Clean Air Coalition updated the Regional Air Quality Plan in November 2021 to address particulate matter  (PM) pollution which can be harmful to people’s health. The updates include several measures local governments, CAPCOG, and other organizations have made to cut PM pollution and increase awareness of high short-term PM levels when they occur. These steps should help reduce PM exposure within the region.

Read the rest of the plan.

This study shows how the significant reductions in personal vehicle usage within the Austin area in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic did improve regional air quality, but the impact of increased telecommuting was more limited than expected.

The project analyzes ground-level ozone (O3) data collected in 2020 in the Austin-Round Rock-Georgetown Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA), which consists of Bastrop, Caldwell, Hays, Travis, and Williamson counties. The report uses data from 11 different O3 monitoring stations and two National Weather Service stations, and compares the 2020 data with CAPCOG’s most recent O3 conceptual model — evaluated data from 2010 to 2015 — and similar reports that analyzed yearly monitoring data in 2016 to 2019.

CAPCOG prepared this annual air quality report covering the Austin-Round Rock-Georgetown Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) for Central Texas Clean Air Coalition (CAC) members, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The report serves as the region’s annual check-in with EPA as part of the CAC’s participation in the Ozone (O3) Advance Program. The report period is from Jan. 1, 2020 to Dec. 31, 2020.

This report describes the activities and results of the 2020 Work Plan performed by CAPCOG in 2020. The Central Texas Clean Air Coalition approved the 2020 Air Quality Work Plan in February 2020.

This report is based on monthly air quality monitoring data from eight monitors located in five counties in the CAPCOG region. It provides details about the activity conducted during the 2020 Ozone season — March through November — and key performance metrics.

The 2020 CAPCOG Annual Report summarizes the work of CAPCOG’s divisions throughout the year. It highlights the achievements of each program and documents its hard working committee members. The report also includes an unaudited financial summary of the 2020 fiscal year.

The 2020-2025 Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) is the regional economic development plan developed by the Capital Area Economic Development District (CAEDD) board to guide project development and funding eligibility for the Economic Development Administration’s (EDA) grant programs as well as encourage other projects in the region that address those areas of work.

This is the annual air quality report for the Austin-Round Rock-Georgetown Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) prepared by CAPCOG for the members of the Central Texas Clean Air Coalition (CAC), the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). This report serves as the region’s annual “check-in” with EPA as part of the CAC’s participation in the Ozone (O3) Advance Program (OAP). The report covers January 1, 2019, through December 31, 2019. Under the most recent MSA definitions promulgated by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) in March 2020, the Austin-Round Rock-Georgetown MSA consists of Bastrop, Caldwell, Hays, Travis, and Williamson Counties, which are the same five counties that have been participating in regional air quality planning efforts since 2002. This is the first annual report covering the region’s 2019-2023 Regional Air Quality Plan that was adopted in December 2018.

Read the 2019 Air Quality Plan Commitment Reporting Compilation. (.xlsx, This link will prompt a download.)

This report analyzes ground-level ozone (O3) data collected in 2019 in the Austin-Round Rock-Georgetown Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA), which consists of Bastrop, Caldwell, Hays, Travis, and Williamson counties. The report uses data from ten different O3 monitoring stations and two National Weather Service (NWS) stations in the MSA, comparing the 2019 data with CAPCOG’s most recent O3 “conceptual model,” which evaluated data from 2010-20151, and similar reports that analyzed yearly monitoring data in 2016, 2017, and 2018.

Read the Appendixes (.xlsx, This link will prompt a download)

This memo is a brief analysis of the potential effects Stay Home Orders, which were issued throughout the region in March and April, may have on the region’s air quality. It looks at data captured from March 18 to March 31, 2020.

It states the region can’t directly attribute lower and higher air pollution levels recorded during that time frame to the reduction in traffic caused by people telecommuting and remaining at home to prevent the spread of COVID-19. It is hard to know what impact these changes may have to the region’s overall O3 levels for the year, states the memo. CAPCOG will continue to review an analyze data as it becomes available.

The 2019 CAPCOG Annual Report recaps the work CAPCOG did during the year. It highlights each CAPCOG division and its program areas. It also documents its committee members.  The report includes an unaudited financial summary of the 2019 year.

This report summarizes updated non-road mobile activity and emissions inventory projections and builds on several other research projects completed by CAPCOG in recent years, incorporating new data sources and techniques.

Every three years, the EPA prepares a comprehensive inventory of emissions for every county in the country known as the “National Emissions Inventory” (NEI).  The NEI is a collaborative effort that requires extensive input from states, and serves as a foundation for a wide range of air quality planning efforts. The NEI includes data for both annual and ozone (O3) season day (OSD) emissions of “criteria” pollutants regulated through National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) and their precursors, as well as Hazardous Air Pollutants (HAPs) regulated under Section 112 of the Clean Air Act. This report is focused on reviewing data and documentation on criteria pollutant and precursor emissions estimates and activity estimates currently available from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) for 2017 that either will be used for the 2017 NEI or may serve as a useful point of comparison for the NEI for the Austin-Round Rock-Georgetown Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA).

This report is intended to:

• Provide an update to EPA, TCEQ, and local stakeholders on the status of air quality in the Austin-Round Rock-Georgetown MSA through the end of 2018
• Provide an update on the latest understanding of the contribution of the region’s emissions to high O3 levels when they occur
• Summarize the status of emission reduction measures implemented in the region in 2018
• Detail ongoing planning activities in the region
• Identify new issues affecting air quality planning efforts in 2019 and beyond

Download the report’s attachments:

1. Emission Reduction Measures 2018
2. Operational Data 2018
3. TERMS Commitments 2018

CAPCOG and multiple stakeholders developed the CAPCOG Mass Fatality Response Plan to offer guidance to all public safety responders within the region’s 10-county area. The plan outlines a shared approach for multi-jurisdictional, multi-agency response efforts to incidents resulting in significant numbers of fatalities. It is intended to provide clear, practical guidance for responding to such incidents. The plan lays out the operational concepts, roles, authorities, protocols, and resource requirements unique to mass fatality incidents (MFI). It helps facilitate inquests, remains recovery and appropriate disposition through a structured approach.

A MFI occurs when the number and/or condition of human remains challenges local fatality management capabilities, so the local jurisdictions must require assistance to perform remains recovery, morgue services and disposition of victims. Such incidents can occur with little or no warning and use resources and procedures beyond those employed in day-to-day response.

CAPCOG’s Mass Fatality Response Plan includes the following and more information:

• A MFI quick action guide
• Definitions of situations and assumptions
• A description of concept of operations
• Definitions of assignments by responsibilities
• Information on how to handle plan development and plan maintenance
• A quick reference guide to MFI operations
• A recovery unit guide
• Guidance for operating a family assistance center unit

> Download the Capital Area Mass Fatality Response Plan Attachment 15: Forms.

The purpose of this project is to analyze ground-level ozone (O3) data collected in 2018 in the Austin-Round Rock-Georgetown Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA), which consists of Bastrop, Caldwell, Hays, Travis, and Williamson Counties. The report uses data from 10 different O3 monitoring stations and two National Weather Service (NWS) station in the MSA, comparing the 2018 data with CAPCOG’s most recent O3 “conceptual model,” which evaluated data from 2010-2015, and similar reports that analyzed 2016 and 2017 monitoring data.

The purpose of this report is to explain the technical basis and analyses conducted by CAPCOG staff in support of the 2019-2023 Monitoring Plan approved by the CAC on May 9, 2018.

The 2019-2023 Austin-Round Rock-Georgetown Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) Regional Air Quality Plan is intended as a guide to addressing regional air pollution issues for Bastrop, Caldwell, Hays, Travis, and Williamson counties over the next five years.

The plan is designed to help the region:

• Maintain and improve outdoor air quality within the MSA;
• Reduce the impact of emissions from within the region on air quality issues in nearby areas and elsewhere; and
• Mitigate the health, environmental, economic, and social impacts of the remaining regional air pollution.

This report documents the ground-level ozone (O3) and meteorological monitoring activities conducted by CAPCOG in 2018.

Attachment

• 2018 Air Quality Monitoring Report Supplement files

The 2019 CAPCOG Annual Report details the work CAPCOG did during the year. It highlights each CAPCOG division and its program areas. It also documents its committee members.  The report includes an unaudited financial summary of the 2018 year.

This is the annual air quality report for the Austin-Round Rock Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) prepared by the Capital Area Council of Governments (CAPCOG) for the members of the Central Texas Clean Air Coalition (CAC), the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). This report serves as the region’s annual “check-in” with EPA as part of the Clean Air Coalition’s participation in the Ozone Advance Program (OAP). The report covers January 1, 2017, through December 31, 2017.

Attachments

• Emission Reduction Measures (.xlsx)
• Operational Data (.xlsx)
• Terms, Commitments and New Terms (.xlsx)

This report provides insights into ground-level ozone formation in the region using existing photochemical modeling completed by the CAPCOG, the Alamo Area Council of Governments, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

The purpose of this project is to compare ambient air monitoring data collected in 2017 in the Central Texas region with CAPCOG’s most recent ozone “conceptual model,” which evaluated data from 2010-2015.

The 2018 Update to the 2015-2020 Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) features updated data and analysis for the region, with particular focus on:

• Population Growth,
• Jobs and Employment,
• Workforce and Education,
• Challenges the Capital Area faces, and
• Updated Performance Metrics for the region.

Many of the trends identified and discussed in detail in the initial edition of the 2015-2020 CEDS are still relevant and are observed in the updated data. Population continues to grow, adding roughly 50,000 people per year to the 10-county Capital Area. The highest rates of population increase are in the counties that contain the IH-35 corridor, and new population growth is increasingly shifting from Travis County to Williamson and Hays counties. Employment opportunities in these traditional suburban counties are growing as well but employment in the region remains much more concentrated in Travis County than the population.

This project was to quantify the magnitude and spatial and temporal characteristics of the emissions reduction measures that have been implemented within the Austin-Round Rock MSA as a part of the region’s Ozone Advance Program (OAP) Action Plan and earlier under the 8-Hour Ozone Flex Plan.

CAPCOG awarded $210,500 in funding for four different regional air quality grants in 2016. These projects included:

1. The replacement of on-road pickup trucks with smaller non-road utility vehicles by Austin White
   Lime
2. The purchase and installation of an “electric ear” at one of Austin White Lime’s kilns in order to
   reduce the fuel consumption rate
3. Subsidized vanpool vouchers for Travis County employees
4. Development of a tracking tool for City of Austin to use in its “Smart Commutes” pilot project

These projects are now complete and this report documents the results of the projects.

This project provides a detailed review of the spatial representation of emissions within the ten-county CAPCOG region for photochemical modeling.

This document explains the methodology CAPCOG used to score and rank its eight monitoring stations for 2018. CAPCOG intends to use the data to prioritize which monitoring stations to operate and the extent of the activities at each monitoring station in 2018. The lowest-ranking CAPCOG-owned monitoring station would be the most likely to not be operated in 2018 or only receive a “basic” level of service in 2018, depending on resources raised from local governments.

Given during the Dec. 13, 2017 General Assembly Meeting, the State of the Region presentation was an interactive presentation that  let attendees learn about progressing regional efforts and their corresponding data across all of CAPCOG’s program areas.

This report documents the ground-level ozone and meteorological monitoring activities conducted by CAPCOG in 2017.

The 2017 CAPCOG Annual Report provides insight into the many accomplishment of CAPCOG during the year. It highlights every CAPCOG division and their programs. It also documents the year’s committee members and includes an unaudited financial summary of 2017.

The CAPCOG region’s Federal Reference Method (FRM) air quality monitors show that the region’s ground-level ozone (O3) levels are narrowly attaining the 2015 O3 National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) of 70 parts per billion (ppb). The purpose of this report is to conduct a performance evaluation of this modeling platform for the CAPCOG region. The report provides analysis of how well this model simulates air pollution concentrations within the CAPCOG region by comparing modeled air pollution concentrations to ambient monitoring data collected in the region during the same period. The report will also compare performance statistics for this model to the performance statistics of other models that are available for the region. These analyses should help improve the understanding of the quality of the data produced by this model.

This report provides details of special monitoring activities Capital Area Council of Governments (CAPCOG) supported in 2017. CAPCOG contracted with St. Edwards University to launch a series of ozonesondes during the 2017 ozone season and provided support for the operation of CAMS 1605 on the St. Edwards University campus. This report documents these activities, as well as other activities conducted by St. Edwards during 2017 that were not directly paid for under this grant, but which this funding helped facilitate.

Attachment

• St. Edwards University monthly reports supplement. (.zip)

The Disaster Resiliency & Recovery in the Texas Capital Area, The Economic Impact and Local Response to the 2015 Memorial Day Disaster Event report summarizes much of the available disaster data in an effort to quantify the economic impacts of the disaster event in the Texas Capital Region.

This report uses FEMA-administered software, called Hazus, to estimate flood impacts and vulnerability throughout the Capital Area. Throughout the region, this report estimates the impacts of a 100-year flood scenario on regional residential, commercial, and industrial property. This estimation of losses in such a scenario is useful for planning purposes and in prioritizing regional resiliency priorities. Map images are provided in the following section of this report, but digital versions in PDF format, as well as GIS data are available via CAPCOG’s Open Data GIS Portal. Interactive maps are also available via the Project Map Portal.

This report documents the regional response to improve disaster resiliency and identifies opportunities to further enhance resiliency. Regional efforts like WarnCentralTexas.org and ATX Floods have made significant inroads to strengthen the Capital Area’s ability to communicate critical information during a disaster. Other efforts are underway as well, and certainly further work is still required. The hope is that this report serves as a catalyst for continued efforts to enhance mitigation and resiliency efforts.

The purpose of this project is to compare ambient air monitoring data collected in 2016 with CAPCOG’s most recent
ozone (O3) “conceptual model,” which evaluated data from 2010-2015.

This is the annual air quality report for the members of the Central Texas Clean Air Coalition (CAC), the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). This report serves as the region’s annual “check-in” with EPA as part of the Clean Air Coalition’s participation in the Ozone Advance Program (OAP). The report covers January 1, 2016, through December 31, 2016.
The report is intended to do the following:

• Provide an update on the status of air quality in the Austin-Round Rock MSA through 2016
  (Section 1);
• Provide an update on the latest understanding of the contribution of the region’s emissions to
  high ozone levels when they occur (Section 2);
• The status of emission reduction measures implemented in the region in 2016 (Section 3);
• Ongoing planning activities in the region (Section 4); and
• Planning for the future (Section 5).

Attachments

• Emission Reduction Measures (.xlsx)
• Operational Data (.xlsx)
• Terms, Commitments and New Terms (.xlsx)

The 2017 Update to the 2015- 2020 Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) features updated data and analysis for the region, with particular focus on:

• Population Growth
• Jobs and Employment
• Workforce and Education,
• Challenges the Capital Area faces
• Updated Performance Metrics

Many of the trends identified and discussed in detail in the initial edition of the2015-2020 CEDS are still relevant and are observed in the updated data. Population continues to grow, adding roughly 50,000 people per year to the Capital Area. The highest rates of population increase are in the counties that contain the IH-35 corridor, but growth is increasingly taking place to the east and west as well. Many of the newcomers to the region are highly-skilled and highly-educated workers, promising strong, innovation-driven economic growth and opportunity for the region in years to come.

The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) developed a photochemical modeling episode based on the 2012 ozone season. This project involved running photochemical modeling episodes based on this modeling platform. Scenario modeled included:

• elimination of emissions from Decker Creek unit 1,
• elimination of emissions from Decker Creek Unit 2,
• elimination of emissions from Decker Creek natural gas turbines,
• hourly Texas Lehigh Cement Company emissions,
• a “no accelerated diesel engine turnover” scenario for on-road emissions, and
• model accelerated non-road diesel engine turnover emission reductions.

The Texas Association of Regional Councils’ (TARC), Impact & Results in your Region, Regional Solid Waste Grants Program Funding Report, Fiscal Year 2014/2015.

This report is hosted on the TARC website.

For this project, the Capital Area Council of Governments (CAPCOG) modeled the impact of a number of emission sources and source regions on ground-level ozone (O3) levels at seven continuous air monitoring stations (CAMS) in the region in 2017 – CAMS 3, 38, 614, 690, 1603, 1675, and 6602.

This project involved running two baseline photochemical modeling episodes based on June 2006 and June 2012 base case modeling platforms developed by TCEQ1 and 2017 projections using both platforms. Tasks included:

• calculation of projected 2017 design values using June 2006 episode data,
• source apportionment modeling for 2017 using June 2006 episode data,
• source apportionment modeling for 2017 using June 2012 episode data, and
• calculation of projected 2017 design values using 2012 episode data.

Attachment

• Documentation of Emissions Inputs – Sensitivity and Control Strategy Modeling

CAPCOG’s Air Quality Program conducted a regional phone survey of 710 residents of Bastrop, Caldwell, Hays, Travis, and Williamson Counties from October 22, 2016 – November 26, 2016, the third such survey conducted since 2014. This report provides selected analyses of the responses, including:

• Comparisons of the general demographic, household, employment, and commuting data in CAPCOG’s 2014-2016 surveys compared to the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2011-2015 American Community Survey Data; and
• Statistical analysis of the direction, magnitude, and statistical significance of the impacts of various demographic factors on some key responses for air quality planning purposes.

Attachments

• Initial Regression Analysis (.xlsx)
• Survey Results (.xlsx)
• Final Regression Analyses (.xlsx)

The Capital Area Economic Development District Labor Market Analysis includes a compilation of statistics such as the region’s unemployment rate, an employment by industry cluster forecast, employment by occupation group, wages by occupation group, occupation supply gaps in the region, and occupation supply gaps by education attainment.

The 2016 CAPCOG Annual Report chronicles the activities and achievements throughout the year. It showcases the work of every CAPCOG division and their programs and state every committee member, which CAPCOG thanks for their participation in our work. It also contains an un-audited finical report for the year.

The CAPCOG 2016 State of the Region Presentation addressed popular perceptions versus realities throughout region. It focused on topics such as population, transportation, land use and development and environmental quality.

The 2016 Update to the 2015-2020 Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) features updated data and analysis for the region, with particular focus on:

• Population Growth,
• Jobs and Employment,
• Workforce and Education,
• Challenges the Capital Area faces, and
• Updated Performance Metrics for the region.

Llano County, TxDOT, and CAPCOG developed the Llano County Transportation and Economic Development Plan to identify transportation priorities and integrate those priorities with strategies for economic growth. The plan recognizes the need for coordination of significant countywide
projects and is a blueprint for future transportation facilities. Extensive public input was obtained to ensure that the goals and strategies represent the interests of Llano County residents and stakeholders.

The 2015 Capital Area State of the Region Presentation was delivered to the CAPCOG General Assembly on Dec. 9, 2015.

By many measures, 2015 was another banner year for the Capital Area. However, strong growth also exacerbated challenges in the region. The 2015 Capital Area State of the Region Presentation examines the trends shaping life in the region by reviewing the changes in population, occupation types and salaries per households, educational obtainment, cost of housing, poverty levels, commuting trends and more.

This study estimates that a nonattainment designation for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) proposed ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) could cost the Central Texas economy $24 – $41 billion between 2018 and 2046. On an annual basis, that would be $0.9 – $1.4 billion per year. This estimate is based on extensive consultation with local stakeholders and detailed analysis of the potential regulatory and economic consequences of an ozone nonattainment designation for the Austin-Round Rock Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA).

This report examines five Centers for Regional Innovation projects supported by the Economic Development Administration in different regions to highlight successes and best practices. By analyzing successful approaches to supporting economic development in five different regions, each in a different state, and each with different circumstances, practitioners can learn why it’s important to evolve, keeping pace with the needs of the communities they serve.

The commonality between the five case studies included in this analysis was the criteria set out by EDA’s Austin Regional Office – innovation and clusters. But in each case, these were tackled using strategies that were well suited for that region. This report reinforces why economic development is rarely achieved with “off the shelf” strategies but rather, a methodical process that assesses the opportunities against the assets, the gaps, and the resources necessary.

The Capital Area Regional Mutual Aid Plan establishes guidelines for making available the appropriate resources at the appropriate time in response to large-scale, emergency management incidents as they develop.

Covering all 10-counties in the CAPCOG region and the Capital Area Trauma Regional Advisory Council 11-county region, the plan provides guidance for the coordination of many different types of available local, public resources needed for a regional response. It addresses the system of requesting, locating, and mobilizing those resources and the coordination of their deployment before and after substantial state, federal or distant local resources can arrive.

CAPCOG’s Executive Committee approved the plan in September 2015.

The mutual aid plan is inclusive of both local governments that have adopted the Capital Area Mutual Aid Agreement, approved in 2006, and others organizations not serviced through the Mutual Aid Agreement. Other political subdivisions, nonprofits, and private sector organizations can partake in the plan.

CAPCOG develops a Capital Area Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) every five years. The strategy is written to hopefully provide useful regional information, guidance, and perspective to local economic development stakeholders on a city, county, or regional level. It is produced during a year-long planning process that is inclusive of diverse representatives in the public, private, and non-profit sectors throughout the Capital Area. The strategy intends to provide a conceptual framework for local actors to strengthen the competiveness, economic resilience, and quality of life in the Capital Area.

CAPCOG’s Housing Opportunity in Central Texas report, created as part of the HUD-funded Sustainable Places Project, summarizes key findings of data analysis, deliberation and application of the many planning tools – built by the project – that will impact future policy decisions.

Lee County, TxDOT, and CAPCOG developed the Lee County Transportation and Economic Development Plan to identify transportation priorities and integrate strategies for economic growth. The plan recognizes the need for coordination of significant countywide projects and is a blueprint for future transportation facilities. Extensive public input was obtained to ensure that the goals and strategies represent the interests of Lee County residents and stakeholders.

The Blanco County Transportation and Economic Development Plan is the result of a collaborative effort between Blanco County and the Capital Area Council of Governments (CAPCOG) with support from the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) and Texas A&M Transportation Institute (TTI) to develop a vision for economic growth and transportation improvements to guide Blanco County through the year 2040.

Workforce Solutions Capital Area and Workforce Solutions Rural Capital Area contracted with CAPCOG for a workforce study looking at some of the key trends including population, education and skill attainment, income, labor force participation, barriers to employment (e.g. limited English proficiency), commutation patterns, labor market (industry and occupation) trends, and workforce demand and supply. The study was published in June 2010.

In response to the issues created by the high rate of residential and commercial growth in unincorporated areas of urban and suburban Texas counties, the Capital Area Council of Governments (CAPCOG) announces the release of its report on county land use authority in Texas.  This report highlights the current state of counties’ ability to manage growth, detailing the specific chapters in Texas Code that grant counties the ability to regulate land use while pointing out innovations that some counties have made in the exercise of their authority.  CAPCOG intends this report to be the first in a series on county land use authority, with the next release covering strategies to provide counties experiencing rapid growth the powers they need to promote quality development.

As mandated by the state in 1993, CAPCOG developed a complete inventory of closed municipal solid waste landfills for its regional solid waste management plan. The inventory looks to help protect public health and safety when development occurs over property once used for waste disposal.

The CAPCOG inventory includes a report for each county in the ten-county region; the reports contain information about each closed landfill in the corresponding county. These reports are current to the best of CAPCOG’s knowledge but were completed in 2003. Reports posted to this page have been reduced in file size to facilitate faster downloads and website speeds. These reports also contain scans of old county and municipal records which can be hard to read. If they appear to be illegible, you can contact the Regional Planning and Services Division to see if they original documents are easier to read.

View an interactive map of the Closed Landfill Inventory.

• Bastrop
• Blanco
• Burnet
• Caldwell
• Fayette
• Hays
• Lee
• Llano
• Travis Part 1
• Travis Part 2
• Travis – update
• Williamson