Jump Right In: Where to Start in Your Coal Community

Join the BRECC National Network to gain access to virtual learning sessions designed to help your coal community plan for a more resilient local economy. At this first session, we learned from efforts in Colstrip, Montana to organize stakeholders, involve community members and create an actionable plan to balance and diversify its coal-based economy. We also learned about timely resources available through the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC), the U.S. Department of Energy and the Just Transition Fund.

More information on the BRECC initiative is available here.

• Spotlight on Colstrip, Montana: Jim Atchison, Executive Director of the Southeastern Montana Development Corporation, discussed efforts underway in the coal community of Colstrip, Montana  
• Grant Funding: Karen Fabiano, Program Manager at the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC), presented on ARC’s Partnerships for Opportunity and Workforce and Economic Revitalization (POWER) Initiative grant opportunity 
• Technical Assistance: Courtney Haynes, Stakeholder Engagement Specialist at the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations (OCED), presented on technical assistance available through OCED’s Clean Energy on Mine Land program
• Technical Assistance: Natalie Roper,  Director of Special Projects at the Just Transition Fund, presented on technical assistance available through JTF's Federal Access Center. 

BRECC is operated by the National Association of Counties using Federal funds under award ED22HDQ3070080 from the Economic Development Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce. The statements, findings, conclusions, and recommendations are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Economic Development Administration or the U.S. Department of Commerce.