New BRECC Toolkit: Coal Communities’ Pathways for Economic Diversification
This webinar is available on-demand. If you have issues accessing the recording, please email nacomeetings@naco.org.
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.
Watch Recording
Click here to access the recording in a new window.
Featured Initiative
Building Resilient Economies in Coal Communities
The Building Resilient Economies in Coal Communities initiative connected coal communities, supported local leaders and built capacity in under-resourced communities to advance new approaches and projects for economic diversification.
U.S. House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee introduces 2026 Water Resources Development Act
On June 26, the U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure (T&I) Committee released text of the Water Resources Development Act of 2026 (WRDA). The WRDA legislation supports the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers by authorizing water resources studies and projects and sets policies for navigation, flood control, hydropower, recreation, water supply and emergency management for the U.S Army Corps of Engineers (Corps). WRDA 2026 authorizes 131 new feasibility studies and 10 new construction projects.
Designation period opens July 1 for new Opportunity Zones
Counties active in the Opportunity Zone process are highlighting census tracts that are ready for work to begin and where local, state and national economic development priorities are aligned.
Embedded developer helps focus county’s economic goals
An Economic Recovery Corps fellow has helped Highland County, Va. work to break out of economic stagnation by adding capacity.
Senate Agriculture Committee introduces 2026 Farm Bill, following House passage
On June 23, Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman John Boozman (R-Ark.) introduced the Senate version of the 2026 Farm Bill, the Agricultural Act of 2026.
The EPA announces $2.9 billion for states to support lead pipe replacement
On May 20, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (the EPA) announced $2.9 billion in funding to help states support lead service line replacement. The funding will be distributed through the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) and can be used by communities to identify lead pipes, plan removal projects, and replace lead service lines that deliver drinking water to homes.