New BRECC Toolkit: Coal Communities’ Pathways for Economic Diversification
This event will take place on Zoom Webinar. Please email nacomeetings@naco.org with any questions regarding registration or login issues.
Join the BRECC National Network to learn how coal counties are diversifying their economies through increasing housing supply, providing innovative workforce development opportunities and revitalizing downtowns. NACo will unveil our new economic diversification toolkit with six proven strategies for coal and other rural communities. For more information on BRECC's National Network learning series and other programming, visit naco.org/brecc.
Featured Initiative
Building Resilient Economies in Coal Communities
The Building Resilient Economies in Coal Communities initiative connects coal communities, supports local leaders and builds capacity in under-resourced communities to advance new approaches and projects for economic diversification.
EPA releases proposal to repeal 2009 greenhouse gas endangerment finding
On July 29, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released a proposal to rescind the 2009 endangerment finding. Following the announcement from EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) published a supporting report—A Critical Review of Impacts of Greenhouse Gas Emissions on the U.S. Climate.
U.S. House of Representatives introduce Standardizing Permitting and Expediting Economic Development Act
On July 25, U.S. House Committee on Natural Resources Chairman Bruce Westerman (R-Ark.-04) and Rep. Jared Golden (D-Maine-02) introduced the Standardizing Permitting and Expediting Economic Development (SPEED) Act. This bipartisan bill would amend the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) to clarify ambiguity and streamline the permitting process.
AI offers counties potential for hiring, retention
Despite employees’ concerns over the disruptive potential of artificial intelligence adoption in the job market, workforce professionals maintain optimism that the technology, still in its infancy, could lead to better services and products from the public sector.
U.S. Congress passes reconciliation bill: What it means for counties
On July 3, the U.S. Congress passed sweeping budget reconciliation legislation.
White House signs executive orders to advance nuclear power
On May 23, President Trump signed four executive orders focused on expanding the nuclear energy industry. The executive orders aim to position nuclear power as a key contributor to energy reliability, economic growth and national security — especially as artificial intelligence, advanced manufacturing and military operations increase demand for stable, high-density power sources.