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Charlotte Mitchell Duyshart

Associate Legislative Director, Environment, Energy & Land Use | Gulf Coast Regional Forum

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Nearly two out of every three counties (64 percent) have an identified brownfield property. Cook County, Ill. alone has more than 600 properties, the most of any county with a brownfield site, with the median number of sites for brownfield counties reaching five properties. These sites are concentrated in rust-belt and other former industrial- heavy regions of the country. With more than 450,000 total estimated sites, brownfields impact every county to varying degrees.

Brownfield properties can come in many shapes and sizes. Often, they are thought of as large abandoned industrial complexes, but it is more common for brownfield sites to be smaller properties like former gas stations, dry cleaners or automotive repair garages. Brownfield sites can also be agricultural, residential, railroad sites, chemical manufacturing plants or public buildings.

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Union County, Ore. Commissioner Paul Anderes and Grace Donovan, executive director of Eastern Oregon University’s Rural Engagement and Vitality Center, present their Rural Leaders for Economic Mobility capstone project in May 2026. Photo by Charlie Ban
County News

Innovating Solutions Together: Turning Ideas into Results  

NACo CEO Matt Chase: "Every one of these counties started in the same place: a local vision, followed by a search for ideas. NACo builds the networks that connect county officials and other experts." 

electricity
County News

Counties play a growing role in the fight to lower utility costs for residents

County governments rarely have a direct role in the energy market, but a new NACo report finds that counties can often be most effective as advocates, helping lower residents’ utility costs by leveraging state programs, local partnerships and outreach.

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Advocacy

U.S. Senate advances Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act in initial procedural vote

On Nov. 9, the U.S. Senate advanced the Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act (S. 5653) through a successful vote to invoke cloture. The 73-25 vote sets up further debate and consideration in the chamber.

Mason County, W.Va. Commissioner Rick Handley speaks to NACo Annual Conference attendees. Photo by Charlie Ban
County News

County leaders push for a voice in data center regulation authority

County officials in states like West Virginia and Texas are limited in their ability to regulate data centers while still held accountable by their residents.

An associate with Digital Realty shows county officials the cooling system in one of its Loudoun County, Va. data centers in October 2024. Photo by Charlie Ban
County News

Water matters for data centers

Data centers often cluster in a few places, need treated water and use the most when demand is already high in hot weather. This growing demand is driving data center development nationwide, accelerating local proposals and the importance for county officials to understand impacts to energy, land and water resources. 

electricity
County News

Congress makes progress on data center legislation

NACo has endorsed data center-related bills aimed at providing electricity cost relief to ratepayers - the House's Ratepayer Protection Act and the Senate's American Affordability and Jobs Act.

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Many public sector and middle class workers have been priced out of Teton County, Wyo. and second-home owners have not filled spots in civic and volunteer groups.
Webinar

Ready for El Niño: County Strategies for Preparation, Response, and Recovery

This webinar equips county officials with practical guidance to prepare for, respond to and recover from the impacts of El Niño.