NACo looks to build stronger economies in coal regions

NACo webinars will focus on economic transition planning in light of the downturn in the coal industry 
 

An initiative started by NACo and its partners in 2014 to help with economic transition planning for counties affected by the downturn in the coal industry will continue through 2019 with a series of intensive workshops scheduled to begin in the West in September.

Learn More

Strengthening Economies in Coal-Reliant Communities through Brownfield Development, July 11, 3-4 p.m. ET

Harvesting Opportunity: The Power of Regional Food System Investments to Transform Communities, Aug. 8, 3-4 p.m ET

In 2014 and 2015, NACo partnered with the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) to host the Coal Reliant Communities Innovation Challenge, which convened 42 counties and 18 economic development districts impacted by the coal industry downturn for intensive training workshops, peer networking opportunities, and mentoring resources.

In 2016 and 2017, NACo joined with the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) to continue to provide support and tailored technical assistance to 11 community teams in the ARC region. 

Also in 2017, NACo and the National Association of Development Organizations (NADO) launched a new partnership with the EDA-Denver Regional Office to provide in-depth technical assistance to coal-reliant communities in the western states of Colorado, Montana, Utah and Wyoming.  This project kicked-off with the “Strengthening Economies in the West” forum in Denver in April 2017.

In addition to the 2018 workshop series, NACo is also hosting two webinars this summer to highlight specific strategies and best practices in brownfields development, and local and regional food financing issues.

 

Strengthening Economies

An interactive webinar, “Strengthening Economies in Coal-Reliant Communities through Brownfield Development,” set for July 11 from 3-4 p.m. ET, will explore how brownfield redevelopment sparks economic investment and development, particularly in communities impacted by the changing conditions in the coal industry.

The webinar will discuss best practices in reuse of brownfield sites and technical assistance resources available from a team of brownfield assistance experts working in communities across the country.

Harvesting Opportunity

Investing in agriculture and regional food systems has emerged as a diversification strategy that can be replicated across coal-reliant communities.

Join NACo from 3-4 p.m. Aug. 8 for this educational webinar, “Harvesting Opportunity: The Power of Regional Food System Investments to Transform Communities,” to learn more about practical tools and strategies outlined in a new book by the USDA. Register at www.naco.org/webinars.