The Upper Coastal Plain Council of Governments (UCPCOG) is one of 16 multi-county planning and development regions in the State. The concept of planning regions was created in 1970 by Governor Robert Scott, who realized the delivery of quality government programs and services could be best accomplished if planning and development was established on a regional level. Edgecombe, Halifax, Nash, Northampton, and Wilson counties were designated as State Planning Region L. Furthermore, UCPCOG became the Lead Regional Organization (LRO) responsible for administering and coordinating state and federal programs.

The UCPCOG ranks ninth in land mass encompassing 2,707 square miles in the five counties. The population of 296,296 is ranked eighth in the State. Unfortunately, as of 2019 four of the five counties (Edgecombe, Halifax, Wilson, and Northampton) are designated by the North Carolina Department of Commerce as Tier 1 economically distressed. In the region, 19.3% of the population lives in poverty. Associated with these dismal statistics are many problems but also many opportunities for making improvements. It is the mission of UCPCOG to address these concerns. “Working for a better tomorrow” is job one.