Participants announced to receive specialized technical assistance through NACo’s Building Resilient Economies in Coal Communities Initiative

NACo is delighted to announce the following community teams participating in BRECC’s Action Challenge:

Cumberland Plateau Planning District Commission, Va.: In southwestern Virginia, the Cumberland Plateau Planning District Commission is a regional Economic Development District serving the counties of Buchanan, Dickenson, Russell and Tazewell. With a regional approach, this team seeks to grow economic resilience through entrepreneurship and business development strategies.

City of Richwood, Nicolas County, W.Va.: In central West Virginia, the City of Richwood is experiencing population loss tied to the decline of the local coal industry. Building on natural assets, this team looks to expand its outdoor recreation economy with a special focus on a local trail network.

Counties of Apache, Coconino and Navajo, Ariz.: In Northern Arizona, the counties of Apache, Coconino and Navajo face the closure and decommissioning of several coal-fired power plants. Collaborating across county borders, this team will coordinate planning to create a complimentary, shared strategy for economic diversification.

Floyd County, Ky.: In eastern Kentucky, Floyd County has seen a decline in coal production over the past three decades and recent flooding has exacerbated economic hardships. Led by a newly created long-term recovery group, this team will pursue opportunities in outdoor and cultural tourism as well as residential attraction.

Pike County, Ind.: In southwestern Indiana, Pike County’s employment and tax base are closely tied to a coal-fired power plant slated to be decommissioned. This team will create a local strategy around business attraction and workforce retention goals.

Perry County, Ohio: Perry County is facing the impact of its last two mines closing. This team will advance planning for placemaking economic development strategies.

Northwest Colorado Development Council, Colo.: In Northwest Colorado, the Northwest Colorado Development Council serves the counties of Rio Blanco, Moffat and Routt, which face the impending closure of two coal-fired power plants. In partnership with a regional community college, this team will expand on strategies for advancing clean energy initiatives.

San Juan County, N.M.: In northwest New Mexico, San Juan County is experiencing the closure of one coal-fired power plant and faces the impending closure of another. In partnership with Four Corners Economic Development, this team will advance strategies for workforce redevelopment and business expansion.

NACo IS DELIGHTED TO ANNOUNCE THE FOLLOWING COMMITMENT COALITION MEMBERS AND THEIR CORRESPONDING COAL COMMUNITY COUNTIES AND STATES: 

1. Stephen Allen, Liaison, South Lincoln County Economic Development Corporation, Lincoln County, Wyo. 
2. Marcie Barlow, Community Development Director, Scioto County, Ohio  
3. Stuart Clason, Regional Growth Director, Southeastern Utah Association of Local Governments, Counties of Carbon and Emery, Utah  
4. Dr. Sandi Curd, Promise Zone Coordinator, Kentucky Highlands Investment Corporation, USDA Rural Partners Network, counties of Bell, Clay, Harlan, Knox, Leslie, Letcher, Perry and Whitley, Ky.
5. Jenna Draper, Economic Development Director, Six County Association of Governments, counties of Juab, Millard, Piute, Sanpete, Sevier and Wayne, Utah  
6. Sharon Fain, Vice President, PacifiCorp/Rocky Mountain Power, counties of Lincoln, Converse, Sweetwater and Campbell, Wyo. and Emery County, Utah  
7. Cora Gnegy, Tourism Director, Giles County, Va.  
8. Hon. Steve Henry, Judge/Executive, Webster County, Ky.  
9. Hon. Marc Kiehna, Commissioner, Randolph County, Ill. 
10. Carolea Mills, Deputy Judge/Executive and Economic Development Director, Martin County, Ky. 
11. Hon. Dan Mosley, Judge/Executive, Harlan County, Ky. 
12. Will Payne, Managing Partner of Coalfield Strategies, counties of Bland, Buchanan, Carroll, Dickenson, Grayson, Lee, Russell, Scott, Smyth, Tazewell, Washington, Wise and Wythe, Va. 
13. Hon. Gabe Pena, Councilperson, Fayetteville Town Council, Fayetteville County, W.Va. 
14. Hon. Greg Puckett, Commissioner, Mercer County, W.Va.  
15. Renee Regel, Economic Development Coordinator, City of Becker, Minn. 
16. Dr. Mark Sarver, Associate Professor of Business and Workforce Learning, Glenville State University, USDA Rural Partners Network, counties of Braxton, Calhoun, Clay, Gilmer, Nicholas, Roane, Webster and Wirt, W.Va.
17. Hon. Tammy Tincher, Commissioner, Greenbrier County, W.Va.
18. Tina Toyne, Economic Development Director, Big Horn County, Mont.  
19. Hon. Melody Villard, Commissioner, Moffat County, Colo.  
20. Carla Vita, Director of Energy Transition, Minnesota Department of Economic Development, counties of Chippewa, Otter Trail, St. Louis, Cook, Sherburne, Itasca and Washington, Minn.