Military Communities Resource Hub
Connecting Counties and Military Installations
502 counties host U.S. military installations, representing more than 15 percent of America’s counties nationwide. In partnership with the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD), NACo is creating a Military Communities Resource Hub to share timely and relevant DOD updates and opportunities for county leaders to connect with each other and DOD representatives. This hub will primarily serve county officials who have an interest or role in coordinating with their local military installation personnel on administrative, environmental, public safety, economic development or other matters.
Featured Partner Resources
In partnership with the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD), the Readiness and Environmental Protection Integration Program (REPI) allows NACo to support communication and information sharing between these county governments and neighboring military installations. This program helps to combat encroachment on incompatible development near military installations that can limit or restrict critical military training, testing and operations.
The Department of Defense’s official project funding guide outlines how REPI funding opportunities can be leveraged for various initiatives. REPI projects contribute to the longevity of working farms, forests and ranchlands; increase recreational and open space opportunities for nearby residents and military families; and protect against military relocations that would adversely affect the local economy.
Produced by the Department of Defense REPI Program, these state-level fact sheets highlight how REPI investments are supporting military readiness, local economies and environmental resilience. Each report details the locations, funding levels, partners and outcomes of REPI projects within individual states, offering counties a snapshot of defense-community collaboration in their region.
These REPI primers provide counties and other stakeholders with practical guidance on building successful partnerships, integrating military compatibility into land use planning and addressing environmental noise concerns. Each resource is designed to support collaborative, readiness-focused planning.
- Program Partnerships Primer
Offers guidance on forming effective partnerships between counties and military installations to support shared goals. - Land Use Planning Primer
Provides tools for integrating military compatibility into zoning, land use planning and community growth policies. - Community and Environmental Noise Primer
Helps local governments understand and plan for the impacts of military noise in surrounding communities.
In partnership with the U.S. Departments of Defense, Agriculture and the Interior, the Sentinel Landscapes Partnership connects landowners, government agencies and nonprofit organizations to promote conservation and working lands in areas near military installations. These landscapes support military readiness, preserve natural resources and bolster local economies by aligning federal and state programs with shared priorities.
Counties with Military Installations
View the interactive map in full screen. Click here to access the map on NACo's County Explorer.
Building Resilience and Preserving Missions Through the DoD REPI Program
Join NACo and the Department of Defense’s Readiness and Environmental Protection Integration (REPI) Program for an interactive and educational discussion on disaster resilience and climate change. Counties and military installations alike face growing threats from severe flooding, catastrophic wildfires, drought, and other extreme weather events. Come learn more about how the REPI program can advance resilience and climate action goals and protect critical missions through off-base natural infrastructure solutions.
Supporting National Defense and Strengthening Local Communities: County and Military Partnerships through the REPI Program
The Department of Defense’s (DoD) Readiness and Environmental Protection Integration (REPI) program facilitates cost-sharing partnerships between the Military Departments, local governments, other federal agencies, and private conservation organizations to help relieve or avoid land use conflicts near military installations.
Join us for this educational webinar to learn more about the REPI program and county-military planning partnerships to maintain military readiness, while preserving open space and working lands, protecting natural resources, and building resilient economies and communities.
Leveraging the Farm Bill to Promote Compatible Land Use Near Military Installations
This webinar will explore how programs within the 2018 Farm Bill can be used to promote compatible land use and development near military bases as communities grow, while ensuring continued economic stability and the preservation and use of recreational and working lands. Speakers will help educate county officials and DoD staff on the importance of compatible land use near military installations and some of the various programs in the 2018 Farm Bill that can help preserve local landscapes, benefitting local communities while also supporting DoD’s mission.
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