Strengthening America's Counties

Counties Matter. Counties serve nearly every American every day. Urban, suburban and rural — counties work with states, the federal government and other public and private partners to keep our communities healthy, safe and vibrant.

The Marvelous Adventures of Countyland is an experimental publication created with generative artificial intelligence (AI). Its objectives are to showcase the capabilities of AI, to stimulate discussions regarding AI's applications in the public sector, and to inspire young people around the role of county government.

Counties are one of America’s oldest forms of government, dating back to 1634 when the first county governments (shires) were established along the eastern shores of Virginia. Though today, the governance and organizational structures vary nationally and even within a state, all 3,069 county, parish and borough governments are on the front lines of delivering vital services to residents.

NACo, together with iCivics, has created an online game and curriculum to educate students grade levels 6-12 about the important role and functions of county government. 

Governing on the Ground is an inside look at the complex challenges faced by officials as they strive to strengthen their communities. The book features 30 short chapters contributed by county leaders.

A comprehensive guide to county government structure, authority, services and finances.

Counties are one of America’s original forms of government, dating back to 1634 when the first county governments (shires) were established in Virginia. The organization and structure of today’s 3,069 county governments are chartered under state constitutions or laws and are tailored to fit the needs and characteristics of the state and local areas.

Explore your county through over 1000 indicators and nearly 100 datasets.

NACo is partnering with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to create a peer-learning opportunity for rural county leaders to advance upward economic mobility to move individuals and families in their communities out of poverty. NACo will select 10 member counties with populations of less than 50,000 to be part of the new Rural Leaders for Economic Mobility (RLEM) cohort.

While you serve your county in vast ways, I ask you to strongly consider submitting your name for a leadership position at NACo. Together, we can achieve results for our counties and the people we serve each and every day.

Join a committee and make a difference. NACo members have the opportunity to serve on 31 committees, caucuses, task forces and advisory boards to inform national policymaking and help solve problems impacting counties, boroughs and parishes.

Find the tools you need to make the most of your NACo membership

During this tabletop webinar, NACo members will hear from experts on these new challenges and how counties can be proactive in addressing them this election cycle and beyond.

On March 5, the U.S. Department of the Treasury (Treasury) issued final regulations for the elective pay mechanism established in the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). Using elective pay, also known as direct pay, counties and other tax-exempt entities can monetize certain clean energy tax credits that they have previously been unable to access due to their lack of tax liability. On March 5, Treasury also unveiled a new proposed rule to provide criteria regarding the eligibility of certain ownership structures to claim elective pay. During this webinar, counties will hear from Treasury and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) on these new regulations and other funding opportunities available under IRA.

In this second training, we will receive an overview of the site selection process and discuss key characteristics for which multinational companies look throughout this process.

This webinar is hosted in partnership with NLC. 

This session will provide an in-depth overview of the successful pilot project by Knox County, Ill., the National Association of Counties (NACo), and Visa, sharing how they delivered fast and secure payments to county election judges and jurors.

Join the International Economic Development Task Force throughout this Spring for a special virtual training series on how to bring jobs and capital to your community through foreign investment. In this third training, learn how you can apply the strategies discussed so far and make real-time connections with global businesses at the 2024 SelectUSA Investment Summit (Jun. 23-26) near Washington, D.C.