National Association of Counties
Register now for the 2023 RAC Symposium, Nov. 5–7, in Greenbrier County, West Virginia!This fall, the 2023 Rural Action Caucus (RAC) Symposium will convene senior elected and appointed county officials alongside national thought leaders and industry partners in Greenbrier County, West Virginia to identify rural challenges and elevate solutions through peer-to-peer information exchanges and national policy discussions. |
Registration for the symposium is free but required. You can register yourself and one guest here.
Discounted housing rates have been established at The Greenbrier. You may reserve a room using this link or call 877-713-4843 and press option "2". All conference activities with the exception of mobile tours will take place at The Greenbrier Hotel. Learn more about getting to The Greenbrier here.
We are excited to offer a range of sponsorship opportunities to expand your relationships with RAC members.
All times are listed in Eastern Standard Time. The schedule is subject to change without notice, so be sure to check back frequently.
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11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. |
Registration Open |
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1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. |
Optional Mobile Tour to the New River Gorge National Park & Preserve or Local Activities at The Greenbrier |
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5:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. |
Opening Reception |
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8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. |
Registration Open |
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8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. |
Networking Breakfast |
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9:00 a.m. – 10:45 a.m. |
Opening Session |
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11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. |
Sowing the Seeds of Success: Reauthorizing Rural Development Funding in the 2023 Farm BillAmerica’s counties rely on the Farm Bill to provide critical funding for needs ranging from conservation to forestry to nutrition. Of particular importance to rural America is the bill’s Title XI, which funds rural development programs. Join this workshop to learn more about anticipated Rural Development title provisions and how rural counties can access these investments to improve local communities. |
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12:15 p.m. – 1:15 p.m. |
All-Attendee Luncheon |
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1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. |
Workforce Woes: Identifying and Addressing Rural Labor ChallengesWhile nation grapples with workforce challenges, this issue is felt acutely in rural America where population bases are smaller and professional industries limited. Join this workshop to learn more from subject matter experts about how rural counties can improve the local labor market. |
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2:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. |
Mobile Tour - Weathering the Storm: Building Resilient Rural CommunitiesAs the frequency, severity and cost of natural disasters continues to increase, local officials must plan, prepare and respond to storms in innovative ways that best leverage constrained capital with other solutions, including community involvement. In 2016, White Sulphur Springs was hit with catastrophic flooding where over 23 lives were lost. Statewide, 44 of 55 counties were affected. This mobile tour will visit sites impacted by the “1,000-year flood” in Greenbrier County, as well as economic development projects that have helped revitalize the area. |
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6:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. |
Closing Reception & Dinner |
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8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. |
Registration Open |
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8:00 a.m. – 8:45 a.m. |
Networking Breakfast |
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8:45 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. |
Building Resilient Economies in Coal Communities (BRECC): Dreaming Big in Coal CountryTransformative projects are underway across West Virginia’s coal-impacted counties. Join and learn strategies behind place-based projects to support local businesses, expand recreation economies and grow a sustainable energy sector. This workshop will showcase Southern West Virginia’s ACT Now Build Back Better Project and NACo’s Building Resilient Economies in Coal Communities program. The Rocky Mountain Institute will share technical assistance resources to help counties access federal financing programs. |
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9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. |
Rural Routes to Recovery: Community Public Health StrategiesAs the national substance use crisis continues to evolve, local officials are on the frontlines of community prevention, treatment and recovery efforts. Though the incidence of substance use disorder in rural counties is generally lower than in urban counties, rural counties contend with a range of unique challenges, ranging from the substance use environment to treatment availability. To address the unique challenges that the substance use crisis has created in rural counties, we need unique solutions. Learn more from county partners and practitioners about promising public health strategies in rural areas. |
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10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. |
Technical Assistance Session with Federal AgenciesJoin the symposium's mini federal agency expo to speak directly with senior agency staff about your local needs and concerns. Utilize this opportunity for one-on-one technical assistance with subject matter experts from agencies across the federal government who have significant stakes in rural America. |
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12:00 p.m. |
Lunch Available to Go |
Since 1997, RAC has represented the nearly 70 percent of America's counties that are rural, addressing critical federal, state and local issues unique to these communities. In Washington, D.C., RAC is the collective voice of rural counties before Congress and the White House. The RAC is a key component of NACo's mission in supporting county officials in the pursuit of excellence in public service.
Rural county officials make daily decisions impacting roughly 60 million Americans, including on important public sector issues, such as transportation and infrastructure development, construction and maintenance; broadband deployment; rural hospital and clinic development; the provision of emergency services; business development opportunities and other county responsibilities.
