National Association of Counties launches economic mobility program for rural counties

Ten rural counties selected for inaugural Rural Leaders for Economic Mobility  

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The National Association of Counties (NACo) today announced the creation of Rural Leaders for Economic Mobility (RLEM), a national program with teams of 10 county elected officials and 10 non-elected county leaders to pursue effective strategies to improve economic mobility conditions that move individuals and families out of poverty. Participants will engage in virtual and in-person learning opportunities, receive technical assistance for program implementation and utilize a $50,000 subgrant to incorporate data and evidence-based policies into local government decision-making.  

The inaugural RLEM counties are:  

• Audrain County, Mo.
• Curry County, N.M.
• Hertford County, N.C.
• Holmes County, Miss.
• Jim Wells County, Texas.  
• Presidio County, Texas.
• San Juan County, Utah.  
• Telfair County, Ga.  
• Union County, Ore.  
• Venango County, Penn.

Based on NACo’s signature peer learning model, team members will explore economic mobility strategies and support one another in customizing and implementing strategies in their home jurisdictions. NACo is supported by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to deliver this program and will work with The Cedric Group on curriculum and planning for these 20 county leaders.

“The unique circumstances of rural counties – in this case counties with populations less than 50,000 – make it invaluable for local leaders in these communities to have an opportunity to connect and exchange around solutions to drive economic mobility,” said NACo President Mary Jo McGuire. “We look forward to sharing best practices from this group’s work for the benefit of all counties.”

RLEM continues NACo’s Counties for Economic Mobility initiative, which previously included the Economic Mobility Leadership Network. With only 50 percent of today’s children going on to earn more income than their parents did, compared to 90 percent in 1945, the initiative is grounded in the importance of leveraging county responsibilities like social service delivery to drive economic mobility and improve economic conditions for residents.  

The National Association of Counties (NACo) strengthens America’s counties, including nearly 40,000 county elected officials and 3.6 million county employees. Founded in 1935, NACo unites county officials to advocate for county government priorities in federal policymaking; promote exemplary county policies and practices; nurture leadership skills and expand knowledge networks; optimize county and taxpayer resources and cost savings; and enrich the public’s understanding of county government.