Multicounty development districts or planning organizations contribute to rural development by providing services and expertise usually available to large cities but beyond the financial and technical/professional resources of small towns and rural areas. Ten organizations in Missouri, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, and South Dakota were studied to determine their structure, funding, functions, and services performed. Their responsibilities fall mainly into three categories--planning, clearinghouse responsibilities, and technical assistance. Membership in all but one unit, which was formed for a specific purpose, covered 4-10 counties each. An increasingly important function of these organizations is providing clearinghouse services related to applications for Federal cost-share funds for planning and development. Such a procedure allows State, regional, and local agencies to study the proposals and raise questions or objections. In this way, duplicating, conflicting, or overlapping projects can be eliminated or changed as needed.