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 ConferenceMay 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.2019-05-15Conference2022-05-26
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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Blog
EDA releases new funding opportunity to support underserved communities’ economic development plans and projects
On June 16, the Economic Development Administration (EDA) announced the release of $35 million in funding under the Fiscal Year (FY) 2022 CARES Act Economic Recovery Corps and Equity Impact Investments. -
Policy Brief
Rewrite of the "Waters of the U.S." Rule
Advocate for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) to rewrite the “Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS)” rule in a way that appreciates counties’ role as owners and operators of key public safety and water infrastructure and as an intergovernmental partner in implementing federal regulations under the Clean Water Act. -
Policy Brief
Urge Congress and EPA to Consult with Counties on any Future Regulations on PFAS
Advocate for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and other federal agencies to study the health and environmental impacts of PFAS compounds and to work closely with state and local governments throughout the rule-making process. -
Blog
EMLN adds eight new members
Eight county leaders will be joining NACo's Economic Mobility Leadership Network. The EMLN is a cohort of county elected leaders focused on helping residents move up the economic ladder. -
Blog
FY 2022 PILT payments released to counties, while U.S. House Interior Appropriations Bill would fully fund PILT for FY 2023
On June 23, the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) announced the distribution of $549.4 million to counties in 2022 through the Payments in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) program. A complete list of funding by state and county is available here. -
Blog
HUD announces new funding opportunity for coordinated approaches to address unsheltered homelessness
On June 22, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) released a $365 million first-of-its-kind package of resources to address unsheltered homelessness and homeless encampments, including funds set aside specifically to address homelessness in rural communities.
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Conference
2022 NACo Annual Conference & Exposition
July 21, 2022 – July 24, 2022The NACo Annual Conference is the largest meeting of county elected and appointed officials from across the country. Participants from counties of all sizes come together to shape NACo's federal policy agenda, share proven practices and strengthen knowledge networks to help improve residents’ lives and the efficiency of county government.ConferenceConference 07218:00 amConference<table border="1" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="1" style="width:100%" summary="header-block">
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Economic Mobility Leadership Network
The Economic Mobility Leadership Network (EMLN) is a NACo cohort of county leaders that facilitates and incubates county-specific discussion and problem-solving on issues of economic mobility and helps county leaders identify and assess their current barriers to mobility and share scalable and transferable programs across the country.pagepagepage<table border="1" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="1" style="width:100%" summary="emln-loho">
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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.pagepagepage<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.
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!