Developed in partnership with Americans for the Arts and with support from the National Endowment for the Arts, the Creative Counties Placemaking Initiative equips county leaders with tools and resources to identify and strengthen ways to integrate the arts into solutions to local challenges.

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Lincoln County, S.D. Commissioner Jim Schmidt voices his opinion during the NACo Board of Directors meeting during the 2025 Legislative Conference. Photo by Denny Henry
County News

Salute to county leaders: Jim Schmidt

After a mid-term appointment to succeed a late commissioner, Jim Schmidt stayed on the Lincoln County, S.D. Board of Commissioners for 28 years, during which time his county's population grew dramatically, both physically and mangerially. 

Economic Recovery Corps Fellow George Yarbrough (back row, center) poses during a bill signing with Hawaii Gov. Josh Green (holding the bill).
County News

Loan fund helps counties support entrepreneurs

The City and County of Honolulu’s Office of Economic Revitalization envisioned a microloan program for some time, but adding an Economic Recovery Corps fellow finally made it happen.

NACo Associate Legislative Director Emma Conover shows Wake County, N.C. Commissioner Shinica Thomas and her husband, Raymond, the inside of a server rack at a Digital Realty data center in Loudoun County, Va., in October 2025. Photo by Charlie Ban
County News

The "Backslash Backlash:" Counties pivot in the data center buildout

Data center development across the country has put a new focus on county policies, how they regulate land use and more for local residents and how they could shape the path for economic growth built around artificial intelligence and information technology.

The Fahrner family, first-generation farmers, pause for a photo. They launched their business with the help of Frederick County, Md.’s Agriculture Innovation Grant Program.
County News

County grants help first-generation farmers put down roots

Frederick County, Md.'s Agriculture Innovation Grant Program is helping local farmers expand and diversify their business operations with the aim of strengthening the county’s agricultural economy.

Memoir group participants exchange stories about their childhoods at a Loudoun County, Va. senior center.  Photo by Meredith Moran
County News

Seniors in Loudoun County, Va. build community, reflect with memoir group

The Loudoun County, Va. library system's memoir group provides seniors with an outlet to reflect on their lives through memoir writing and share it with a cohort of their peers. 

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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

Program Contact

Patrick Spence

Program Manager, Economic Mobility