As public funding becomes increasingly strained, counties must search for and employ new strategies to improve their communities and local economies. NACo, in partnership with Americans for the Arts and with support from the National Endowment for the Arts, has launched the Creative Counties Placemaking Initiative to support counties as they work to identify and strengthen ways to integrate arts into solutions to local challenges.

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Calling All Students

I Love My County Because...

NACo's "I Love My County Because..." art contest bolsters civic education and educates communities around the role of county government. Students grade levels K-12 are invited to submit artwork, with winning entries included in an annual calendar.

Students from all U.S. counties, boroughs and parishes are eligible to enter. Applications for the 2023 contest are due September 29!

Submit Your Artwork

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Upcoming Events

Boosting the Economy
Webinar

What’s In It for Rural? Analyzing the Opportunities for Rural America in IIJA, CHIPS and IRA

This webinar will provide insights from that analysis, which will include an examination of some of the key parameters and requirements that rural counties will have to navigate to access these resources.

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Webinar

Global Connections for Your Local Economy Virtual Training #2: Crash Course on the Site Selection Process

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.

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Webinar

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.

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Webinar

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.

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Webinar

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.

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Sponsors

Americans for the Arts
Americans for the Arts
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National Association of Counties
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National Endowment for the Arts