County Resources on Economic Mobility
Resources to promote inclusive economic prosperity for county residents
County governments play an instrumental role in building the economic resilience and vitality of communities and supporting the economic wellbeing of residents. Community characteristics such as quality housing supply and safe and navigable neighborhoods, services like public health programs, early childhood education and workforce development training for jobseekers, connectivity to the marketplace through technology and information support the economic mobility of individuals and families. Counties and county leaders are uniquely positioned as changemakers through local authorities and duties to have a direct impact on each of these and more.
In the United States, economic mobility is centered on the goal that each generation can achieve greater financial well-being than the previous one. In recent decades, this goal has become harder to reach. According to Opportunity Insights, only about half of Americans born since 1980 go on to earn more than their parents did. Using evidence-based economic development strategies, county leaders can reverse this trend and help move Americans out of poverty and do better for themselves and their families. This page offers resources and programs for local decision makers to implement policies and practices that will create economic mobility for all.
Tools You Can Use
Economic Mobility Resources for Counties
County leaders can use these resources to promote inclusive economic prosperity for families in counties across America. Selected resources offer ways to evaluate county needs and performance on key aspects of economic mobility and provide targeted solutions in key policy areas.
Dive Deep on Economic Mobility
County Levers to Drive Economic Mobility: Local Solutions and Strategies
NACo’s County Levers report defines the role, authority and opportunity for counties to improve economic outcomes for residents. This report provides county case examples in seven policy areas that drive economic mobility: housing, education and workforce development, health, community and neighborhood development, justice and public safety, technology and information access and financial security.
Featured Initiative
Economic Mobility Leadership Network
From 2019-2023, NACo hosted the Economic Mobility Leadership Network (EMLN) to support county leaders in developing successful economic mobility strategies for their communities. Use this page to explore the work of the Network since 2019.
Thank You to Our Funder
NACo’s economic mobility work is generously funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. The contents of this webpage and recommended resources do not necessarily reflect positions or policies of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
Related Topics
Dive deep on all of NACo's resources related to economic mobility.
Related Committees & Programs
Building Resilient Economies in Coal Communities
BRECC serves coal communities seeking to revitalize and diversify their economies.
NACo Housing Task Force
Launched in November 2022, the NACo Housing Task Force brings together county government officials from across the nation to illuminate the most critical housing challenges and opportunities from the county government perspective.
NACo Workforce Network
The NACo Workforce Network provides a platform to share resources, best practices and learning opportunities for HR and administration personnel from counties nationwide.
Economic Mobility Leadership Network
The network supports county leaders to develop successful economic mobility strategies for their local communities.
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Global Connections for Your Local Economy Virtual Training #3: “Nailing It” at the 2024 SelectUSA Investment Summit – An Opportunity for Action
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.
Global Connections for Your Local Economy Virtual Training #4: Understanding Your County’s Competitive Advantage and Forming Your Value Proposition
In this fourth training, we will discuss how to determine your county’s competitive advantage and form your value proposition using key economic data points.
Beautifying Brownfields: An Unexpected Opportunity for Your Coal Community
Join the BRECC National Network this May and learn how key federal resources can support innovative brownfield redevelopment projects in energy communities.
Global Connections for Your Local Economy Series #5: Wrap Up Discussion and NACo Resources
If you’re ready to take your county’s economic development to the next level, 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.
Powerful Partnerships: How Coal Communities and Utility Companies are Working Together
Join the BRECC National Network this July and learn how utility providers and local governments are working together to mitigate and respond to economic shocks.
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