BRECC National Network: Shaping your Coal Community’s Approach to Economic Diversification

-
WebinarThe BRECC National Network’s learning session, "Shaping your Coal Community’s Approach to Place-Based Economic Diversification," outlined a Place Value asset-based framework for creating more diverse and resilient economies.BRECC National Network: Shaping your Coal Community’s Approach to Economic Diversification
-
Event
BRECC National Network: Shaping your Coal Community’s Approach to Economic Diversification
The BRECC National Network’s learning session, "Shaping your Coal Community’s Approach to Place-Based Economic Diversification," outlined a Place Value asset-based framework for creating more diverse and resilient economies. Community Builders shared how their work in the West supports developing a unique and localized economic toolbox for communities facing coal transition. This session spotlighted the sister cities of Smithers and Montgomery, W. Va. and their collaborative projects, which leverage their unique assets and restored connections to spark new economic opportunity in their communities. Thursday, March 23, 3 - 4 pm ET.
Presenters included:
- Clark Anderson, Executive Director of Community Builders, presented on a place value approach to economic diversification. Community Builders is a non-profit organization specializing in creating more livable places in the American West. Through technical assistance, Community Builders helps small and rural communities identify, design and implement strategies and investments that respond to local needs and prepare for future challenges. Learn more here.
- Hon. Anne Cavelier, Mayor of City of Smithers, W.Va., co-presented on a collaborative partnership and a series of community-driven projects that are making Montgomery and Smithers vibrant places to live, work, and play. Mayor Cavelier has worked collaboratively with her counterpart in Montgomery to develop the Upper Kanawha Valley Strategic Council Initiative. She has advanced several revitalization projects, including the removal of dilapidated structures and the repurposing of an elementary school into a Gateway Center. Learn more here.
- Hon. Greg Ingram, Mayor of Montgomery, W.Va., co-presented on a collaborative partnership and a series of community-driven projects that are making Montgomery and Smithers vibrant places to live, work, and play. Facing the decline in coal industries as well as the closure of a local high school and college, Mayor Ingram is dedicated to supporting his home community during challenging times. Through Upper Kanawha Valley Strategic Council, Mayor Ingram joined efforts with Mayor Cavelier to share goals, plans and ultimately resources. Efforts have included restoring downtown connections through walking trail systems and securing new phase of life for an abandoned campus in Montgomery. Learn more here.
The BRECC National Network will convene bi-monthly virtual learning sessions each featuring issue-specific presentations, peer breakout discussions, community case examples, and critical funding and resources available to coal communities. National Network sessions will cover topics including economic diversification and strategic planning, place-based economic revitalization, infrastructure investments, workforce solutions, entrepreneurial ecosystems and business development and sustainability and funding planning.
The BRECC National Network’s learning session, "Shaping your Coal Community’s Approach to Place-Based Economic Diversification," outlined a Place Value asset-2023-03-23Webinar2023-03-26
The BRECC National Network’s learning session, "Shaping your Coal Community’s Approach to Place-Based Economic Diversification," outlined a Place Value asset-based framework for creating more diverse and resilient economies. Community Builders shared how their work in the West supports developing a unique and localized economic toolbox for communities facing coal transition. This session spotlighted the sister cities of Smithers and Montgomery, W. Va. and their collaborative projects, which leverage their unique assets and restored connections to spark new economic opportunity in their communities. Thursday, March 23, 3 - 4 pm ET.
Presenters included:
- Clark Anderson, Executive Director of Community Builders, presented on a place value approach to economic diversification. Community Builders is a non-profit organization specializing in creating more livable places in the American West. Through technical assistance, Community Builders helps small and rural communities identify, design and implement strategies and investments that respond to local needs and prepare for future challenges. Learn more here.
- Hon. Anne Cavelier, Mayor of City of Smithers, W.Va., co-presented on a collaborative partnership and a series of community-driven projects that are making Montgomery and Smithers vibrant places to live, work, and play. Mayor Cavelier has worked collaboratively with her counterpart in Montgomery to develop the Upper Kanawha Valley Strategic Council Initiative. She has advanced several revitalization projects, including the removal of dilapidated structures and the repurposing of an elementary school into a Gateway Center. Learn more here.
- Hon. Greg Ingram, Mayor of Montgomery, W.Va., co-presented on a collaborative partnership and a series of community-driven projects that are making Montgomery and Smithers vibrant places to live, work, and play. Facing the decline in coal industries as well as the closure of a local high school and college, Mayor Ingram is dedicated to supporting his home community during challenging times. Through Upper Kanawha Valley Strategic Council, Mayor Ingram joined efforts with Mayor Cavelier to share goals, plans and ultimately resources. Efforts have included restoring downtown connections through walking trail systems and securing new phase of life for an abandoned campus in Montgomery. Learn more here.
The BRECC National Network will convene bi-monthly virtual learning sessions each featuring issue-specific presentations, peer breakout discussions, community case examples, and critical funding and resources available to coal communities. National Network sessions will cover topics including economic diversification and strategic planning, place-based economic revitalization, infrastructure investments, workforce solutions, entrepreneurial ecosystems and business development and sustainability and funding planning.

-
County News
Atmospheric rivers offer opportunity for Sonoma County reservoirs
A nearly decade-long partnership with the Scripps Institution of Oceanography has helped Sonoma County, Calif. understand atmospheric rivers, which allows the county to match its reservoir levels against increasingly confident forecasts. -
Blog
EPA Proposes National Primary Drinking Water Regulations for PFAS
On March 14, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a new proposed National Primary Drinking Water Regulation (NPDWR) for six per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). -
Blog
Webinar Recap: County Strategies to Recruit and Retain a Strong Behavioral Health Workforce
For county governments, a strong and fully staffed behavioral health workforce is key to supporting people living with behavioral health conditions. Like other sectors, county governments are experiencing a shortage in local behavioral health workforce. -
Blog
Applications open for EDA’s FY 2023 Public Works and Economic Adjustment Assistance programs
On March 15, the Economic Development Administration (EDA) published a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for its -
Blog
Legislation introduced to address concerns around FEMA flood insurance pricing transparency and premiums
On March 2, Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) introduced two bills to cap flood insurance premiums and increase transparency around the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s new risk-rating methodology, known as Risk Rating 2.0.
-
Basic page
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<p>Economic mobility refers to changes in an individual’s economic status over a lifetime and across generations—usually measured in income.
-
Basic page
Resilient Counties Initiative
The NACo Resilient Counties Initiative builds leadership capacity to identify and manage risk, and prepare counties to become more flexible and responsive to system shocks and stresses. It has a holistic approach to resilience, examining social and economic resilience, sustainability and disaster management.pagepagepage<p>Hurricanes, wildfires, economic collapse, and other disasters can be natural or man-made, acute or long-term, foreseeable or unpredictable.
-
Basic page
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,
-
Basic page
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,
-
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">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>
Contact
-
Leadership Network Associate(202) 942-4263
-
Program Manager – Resilient Economies & Communities(202) 942-4274
Upcoming Events
-
29Mar2023Webinar
County Strategies to Provide Supportive Housing for Familiar Faces
Mar. 29, 2023 , 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm -
29Mar2023Webinar
NACo Membership Call: Update on Climate and Permitting Legislation
Mar. 29, 2023 , 4:00 pm – 4:30 pm -
5Apr2023Webinar
County Leaders Championing Justice Efforts in Local Communities
Apr. 5, 2023 , 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm