Beautifying Brownfields: An Unexpected Opportunity for Your Coal Community
This webinar will be held via Zoom Webinar. If you have issues registering or accessing the webinar platform, please email nacomeetings@naco.org.
Nearly two out of every three counties (64 percent) have an identified brownfield property. While brownfields properties are typically abandoned or blighted structures, they can also be a building block for revitalization. Join the BRECC National Network this May and learn how key federal resources can support innovative brownfield redevelopment projects in energy communities.
Speakers
Jon Grosshans
Carrie Staton
Maggie Belanger
Featured Initiative
Building Resilient Economies in Coal Communities
The Building Resilient Economies in Coal Communities initiative connects coal communities, supports local leaders and builds capacity in under-resourced communities to advance new approaches and projects for economic diversification.
Featured Initiative
Counties for Career Success
The Counties for Career Success initiative supported counties in enhancing pathways to education and employment. The 2023-2024 cohort received technical assistance, expert guidance and peer learning opportunities.
House Natural Resources Committee advances Standardizing Permitting and Expediting Economic Development (SPEED) Act
On November 20, the U.S. House Committee on Natural Resources advanced the Standardizing Permitting and Expediting Economic Development (SPEED) Act (H.R. 4776), which would make important changes to streamline federal permitting and strengthen county involvement in decision-making by amending the National Environmental Policy Act. Counties support commonsense permitting reforms, and NACo secured provisions in the SPEED Act that would guarantee counties a seat at the table during federal environmental reviews.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency releases new definition of the “waters of the United States”
On November 17, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers released a proposed rule defining what constitute the “waters of the United States” and are subject to federal regulation under the Clean Water Act. The new definition is narrower than previous rules and codifies the decision of U.S. Supreme Court in the 2023 case Sackett v. EPA.
County Countdown – Nov. 17, 2025
Every other week, NACo's County Countdown reviews top federal policy advocacy items with an eye towards counties and the intergovernmental partnership.
Podcast: Eastern Tennessee counties invest in tourism during shutdown
Sevier County, Tenn. refused to let the government shutdown devastate its fall tourism draw—Great Smoky Mountains National Park. County Mayor Larry Waters describes the lengths he and his neighbors went to keep the park open. And NACo Chief Government Affairs Officer Mark Ritacco offers an outlook on what counties can take away from the shutdown and into the future.
Restoration efforts turn former Texas oil field into flood buffer and wildlife sanctuary
Harris County, Texas helped purchase the land to restore a former oilfield, creating a buffer for flooding.
Milwaukee County showcases beach renovation
MIlwaukee County, Wis. dramatically improved the poor water quality that was affecting South Shore Park's reputation.