In May 2002, the U. S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of the Census officially designated Valdosta a new Urbanized Area.  The Federal Highway Act of 1962 requires that urbanized areas have a Comprehensive, Continuous, Cooperative transportation planning process (3-C Process).
 
Organizationally, the MPO consists of three committees; the Policy Committee, the Transportation Coordinating Committee (TCC), and Citizen's Advisory Committee (CAC).  The Policy Committee is the regional forum for cooperative decision-making by principal local elected officials, FHWA, GDOT, and other planning partners.  The TCC is a technical committee of professional advising the policy committee on technical matters relating to transportation plans and program.  The TCC is made up of city and county engineers, GDOT District engineers, GDOT planners, local school board representatives, bike and pedestrian advocates, and emergency response officials.  The CAC serves as a public information and involvement committee that represents a cross section of the community in diversity and interests.