2019 WIR Conference

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ConferenceThe NACo Western Interstate Region (WIR) Conference brings together county officials from across the nation to focus on pressing issues facing counties and our residents. Each year the conference provides attendees with the opportunity to interact with federal, state and regional policymakers, participate in educational sessions and take home tools to address challenges. All conference activities (with the exception of off-site evening receptions and mobile tours) are taking place at The Davenport Grand Hotel.The Davenport Grand Hotel2019 WIR ConferenceThe Davenport Grand HotelMay 15, 2019May 15, 2019, 8:00 am to May 17, 2019, 5:00 pm
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Event
2019 WIR Conference
The NACo Western Interstate Region (WIR) Conference brings together county officials from across the nation to focus on pressing issues facing counties and our residents. Each year the conference is hosted by a county within the fifteen Western states—Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawai'i, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington and Wyoming—and provides attendees with the opportunity to interact with federal, state and regional policymakers, participate in educational sessions and take home tools to address challenges.
We have compiled some key resources from the conference, including policy advocacy resources, photos and more. Also, the customizable press release template is designed for you to customize and share with your local media contacts.
Conference Schedule
Download Conference Program
Customizable press release
REGISTER FOR NACo's ANNUAL CONFERENCE
https://www.youtube.com/embed/lA4Jd9xKrOU?rel=0
COUNTY NEWS COVERAGE
NACo's County News was reporting on-site at this year's conference, providing recaps and analysis of workshops, committee and task force meetings and general sessions.
Conference Photos
Check out and download professional photos taken during the conference.
PILT Policy Brief
Provide Full Mandatory Funding for the Payments in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) Program
SRS Policy Brief
Continue Revenue Sharing Payments to Forest Counties: Support the Secure Rural Schools (SRS) Program
Farm Bill Implementation Policy Brief
Support Key County Priorities as Congress Implements the 2018 Farm Bil
USDA Rural Development Policy Brief
Maintain Funding for USDA Rural Development Program
NACo's TESIT MOBILE BROADBAND APP
NACo has partnered with the Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) and the Rural Community Assistance Partnership (RCAP) to develop a mobile app designed to identify areas with low or no connectivity to help ensure adequate funding for broadband infrastructure is provided across the country
County Explorer
During the conference, we showcased our brand-new County Explorer tool. The new tool is now more accessible and user-friendly, and sports a redesigned user interface which makes navigation simple, while maintaining familiarity.
The NACo Western Interstate Region (WIR) Conference brings together county officials from across the nation to focus on pressing issues facing counties and our residents. Each year the conference provides attendees with the opportunity to interact with federal, state and regional policymakers, participate in educational sessions and take home tools to address challenges. All conference activities (with the exception of off-site evening receptions and mobile tours) are taking place at The Davenport Grand Hotel.2019-05-15Conference2023-07-29
The NACo Western Interstate Region (WIR) Conference brings together county officials from across the nation to focus on pressing issues facing counties and our residents. Each year the conference is hosted by a county within the fifteen Western states—Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawai'i, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington and Wyoming—and provides attendees with the opportunity to interact with federal, state and regional policymakers, participate in educational sessions and take home tools to address challenges.
We have compiled some key resources from the conference, including policy advocacy resources, photos and more. Also, the customizable press release template is designed for you to customize and share with your local media contacts.
https://www.youtube.com/embed/lA4Jd9xKrOU?rel=0
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COUNTY NEWS COVERAGENACo's County News was reporting on-site at this year's conference, providing recaps and analysis of workshops, committee and task force meetings and general sessions. |
![]() |
Conference PhotosCheck out and download professional photos taken during the conference. |
![]() |
PILT Policy BriefProvide Full Mandatory Funding for the Payments in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) Program
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![]() |
SRS Policy BriefContinue Revenue Sharing Payments to Forest Counties: Support the Secure Rural Schools (SRS) Program |
![]() |
Farm Bill Implementation Policy BriefSupport Key County Priorities as Congress Implements the 2018 Farm Bil |
![]() |
USDA Rural Development Policy BriefMaintain Funding for USDA Rural Development Program |
![]() |
NACo's TESIT MOBILE BROADBAND APPNACo has partnered with the Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) and the Rural Community Assistance Partnership (RCAP) to develop a mobile app designed to identify areas with low or no connectivity to help ensure adequate funding for broadband infrastructure is provided across the country |
![]() |
County ExplorerDuring the conference, we showcased our brand-new County Explorer tool. The new tool is now more accessible and user-friendly, and sports a redesigned user interface which makes navigation simple, while maintaining familiarity. |



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Webinar
BRECC National Network Learning Series: The Nuts and Bolts of Community Benefits Plans
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Blog
The County Countdown – September 26, 2023
Every other week, NACo’s County Countdown reviews top federal policy advocacy items with an eye towards counties and the intergovernmental partnership. Watch the video and explore NACo resources below on some of the top issues we're covering this week. -
County News
Public lands champions visit Capitol Hill
County officials from across the country traveled to Washington, D.C. to advocate for federal public land policies, sharing stories with members of Congress of how the Payment in Lieu of Taxes and Secure Rural Schools programs help counties fund essential services, including search and rescue operations, infrastructure and education. -
Blog
The County Countdown – September 13, 2023
Every other week, NACo’s County Countdown reviews top federal policy advocacy items with an eye towards counties and the intergovernmental partnership. Watch the video and explore NACo resources below on some of the top issues we are covering this week. -
County News
Economic mobility is ‘more than just a paycheck,’ Allan Golston says
Counties play a critical role in economic mobility and opportunity, according to Allan Golston, president of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation’s U.S. Program, who spoke to county officials July 23 at the NACo Annual Conference’s second General Session. -
Blog
NACo testifies on county role in combatting wildfires and forest management at U.S. House Natural Resources Committee hearing
On Friday, August 11, the U.S. House Natural Resources Committee held an oversight hearing titled “Conservation in a Crown Jewel: A Discussion About Wildfire and Forest Management.”
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Webinar
BRECC National Network Learning Series: The Nuts and Bolts of Community Benefits Plans
September 28, 2023 , 3:00 pm – 4:30 pmIs your coal community navigating clean energy investments? Join BRECC’s National Network Session and learn how Community Benefits Plans can help ensure new energy projects contribute to local and equitable prosperity.09283:00 pm<p>Is your coal community navigating clean energy investments? Join BRECC’s National Network Session and learn how Community Benefits Plans can help ensure new energy projects contribute to local and equitable prosperity.
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Conference
2024 Western Interstate Region Conference
May 8, 2024 – May 10, 2024Save the date for the 2024 Western Interstate Region Conference Mariposa County, Calif. May 8-10Mariposa County, Calif.05088:00 am<p>Save the date for the 2024 Western Interstate Region Conference</p>
<p>Mariposa County, Calif.<br />
May 8-10</p>
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Community, Economic & Workforce Development Steering Committee
Responsible for all matters pertaining to housing, community and economic development, public works, and workforce development including the creation of affordable housing and housing options for different populations, residential, commercial, and industrial development, and building and housing codes. Policy Platform & Resolutions 2022-2023 2022 NACo Legislative Prioritiespagepagepage<p>Responsible for all matters pertaining to housing, community and economic development, public works, and workforce development including the creation of affordable housing and housing options for different populations, residential,
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Environment, Energy & Land Use Steering Committee
Responsible for all matters pertaining to air, water, energy, and land use, including water resources/management, stormwater, pesticides, air quality standards, solid, hazardous, and nuclear waste handling, transport, and disposal, national energy policy, renewable/alternative energy, alternative fuel vehicles, energy facility siting, electricity utility restructuring, pipeline safety, oil spills, superfund/brownfields, eminent domain, land use, coastal management, oceans, parks and recreation.pagepagepage<p>Responsible for all matters pertaining to air, water, energy, and land use, including water resources/management, stormwater, pesticides, air quality standards, solid, hazardous, and nuclear waste handling, transport, and disposal,
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Public Lands Steering Committee
All matters relating to federally-owned public lands including federal land management programs, natural resource revenue sharing payments, payments in lieu of taxes, and property tax immunity concerns.pagepagepage<p>All matters relating to federally-owned public lands including federal land management programs, natural resource revenue sharing payments, payments in lieu of taxes, and property tax immunity concerns.
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Reports & Toolkits
Implementing Infrastructure Investments at the County Level: The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (P.L. 117-58)
As intergovernmental partners, counties play a key role in ensuring the successful interpretation and implementation of the BILReports & Toolkitsdocument100710:00 amReports & Toolkits<table border="1" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="1" style="width:100%" summary="call-out transparent jump">
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Spokane County, Wash. May 15-17, 2019 |
Save the Date | May 13-15 2020
We hope you'll join us next year in Mariposa County, California!
Upcoming Events
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28Sep2023Webinar
How Overloaded County IT Organizations Can Address Traditional and New AI-Generated Cyber Threats
Sep. 28, 2023 , 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm -
28Sep2023Webinar
BRECC National Network Learning Series: The Nuts and Bolts of Community Benefits Plans
Sep. 28, 2023 , 3:00 pm – 4:30 pm -
3Oct2023Webinar
NACo Information Series on Treasury’s ARPA Flexibility Guidance: Relief from Natural Disasters
Oct. 3, 2023 , 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm