Webinar

BRECC National Network: A Virtual Learning Series

Jan. 26, 2023 – Nov. 16, 2023
Contact Grace Blanchard (202) 942-4274
  • Event

    BRECC National Network: A Virtual Learning Series

    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.

    Join the BRECC National Network. The BRECC National Network is an open forum and peer network connecting coal community leaders representing local governments, regional organizations, community nonprofits, education and workforce providers, utilities, private business and other local stakeholders.

    More information on the BRECC initiative is available here.

    Webinars in this series include:

     

    BRECC National Network #1 | Jump Right In: Where to Start in Your Coal Community

    Thursday, January 26th
    • Recording

    This first session showcased efforts in Colstrip, Montana to organize stakeholders, involve community members and create an actionable plan to balance and diversify its coal-based economy. The session also highlighted timely resources available through the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC), the U.S. Department of Energy and the Just Transition Fund.

    Speakers: 

    • Jim Atchison, Executive Director, Southeast Montana Development Corporation
    • Karen Fabiano, Program Manager, Appalachian Regional Commission

    • Courtney Haynes, Stakeholder Engagement Specialist, Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations, U.S. Department of Energy

    • Erik Pages, Ph.D, President, EntreWorks Consulting

    • Natalie Roper, Director of Special Projects, The Just Transition Fund

    BRECC National Network #2 | Shape your Coal Community’s Approach to Economic Diversification

    Thursday, March 23, 2023 | 3 - 4 p.m. EDT
    • Recording

    This session 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 showcased how the sister cities of Smithers and Montgomery, W. Va. leveraged their unique assets and restored connections to spark new life and economic opportunity in their communities. 

    Speakers: 

    • Clark Anderson, Executive Director, Community Builders
    • Hon. Anne Cavelier, Mayor of City of Smithers, W.Va.
    • Hon. Greg Ingram, Mayor of Montgomery, W.Va..

     

    BRECC National Network #3 | Crafted by Communities: A Framework for Economic Transition 

    Thursday, May 25, 2023 | 3 - 4 p.m. EDT
    • Recording

    Explore three pillars for your coal community’s  revitalization. Touching on market expansion, workforce development, and infrastructure improvements, the Just Transition Fund will introduce a framework to help coal communities be comprehensive and forward-thinking during times of economic distress. This session will also feature the Office of Surface Mine Reclamation and Enforcement, speaking to Abandoned Mine Land (AML) and Abandoned Mine Land Economic Revitalization (AMLER) and Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding sources. 

    Speakers: 

    • Heidi Binko, Executive Director, Just Transition Fund

    • Rachael Young, Director of Grant Making, Just Transition Fund

    • Yolande Norman-Moore, Chief, Division of Reclamation Support, Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement, U.S. Department of the Interior

    BRECC National Network #4 | Exploring Outdoor Recreation as a Component for Economic Diversification

    Thursday, July 27, 2023 | 3 - 4 p.m. EDT
    • Recording

    Join us for a conversation on outdoor recreation as a viable component to build a robust, diverse local economy. Learn more about research trends linked to outdoor recreation economic development, small business ecosystems and resources that could support coal communities. Participants will learn from a collective of rural communities, all located in or near a national forest region, working together towards economic growth and quality of life while striving to maintain their unique cultural identities.

    Speakers: 

    • Chris Perkins, Senior Director, Outdoor Recreation Roundtable
    • Josh Nease, Executive Director, Mon Forest Towns

    BRECC National Network #5 | The Nuts and Bolts of Community Benefits Plans 

    Thursday, September 28, 2023 | 3 - 4 p.m. EDT
    • Register

    Join BRECC’s National Network Session and learn how Community Benefits Plans can help ensure new energy projects contribute to local and equitable prosperity. This session will cover the key components and local levers to create meaningful Community Benefits Plans between private developers and community residents. The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) requires Community Benefits Plans as part of all BIL and IRA funding opportunity announcements (FOAs) and loan applications.

    Speakers:

    • ReImagine Appalachia 
    • Rocky Mountain Institute 
    • U.S. Department of Energy Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations 

     

    BRECC National Network #6

    Thursday, November 16, 2023 | 3 - 4 p.m. EDT
    • Register Soon

    Description TBD.

    Moderator:

    • Grace Blanchard, Program Manager for Resilient Economies and Communities, National Association of Counties

    Speakers: 

    BRECC is operated by the National Association of Counties using Federal funds under award ED22HDQ3070080 from the Economic Development Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce. The statements, findings, conclusions, and recommendations are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Economic Development Administration or the U.S. Department of Commerce. 

     

    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.
    2023-01-26
    Webinar
    2023-09-10

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.

Join the BRECC National Network. The BRECC National Network is an open forum and peer network connecting coal community leaders representing local governments, regional organizations, community nonprofits, education and workforce providers, utilities, private business and other local stakeholders.

More information on the BRECC initiative is available here.

Webinars in this series include:

 

BRECC National Network #1 | Jump Right In: Where to Start in Your Coal Community

Thursday, January 26th

This first session showcased efforts in Colstrip, Montana to organize stakeholders, involve community members and create an actionable plan to balance and diversify its coal-based economy. The session also highlighted timely resources available through the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC), the U.S. Department of Energy and the Just Transition Fund.

Speakers: 

  • Jim Atchison, Executive Director, Southeast Montana Development Corporation
  • Karen Fabiano, Program Manager, Appalachian Regional Commission

  • Courtney Haynes, Stakeholder Engagement Specialist, Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations, U.S. Department of Energy

  • Erik Pages, Ph.D, President, EntreWorks Consulting

  • Natalie Roper, Director of Special Projects, The Just Transition Fund

BRECC National Network #2 | Shape your Coal Community’s Approach to Economic Diversification

Thursday, March 23, 2023 | 3 - 4 p.m. EDT

This session 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 showcased how the sister cities of Smithers and Montgomery, W. Va. leveraged their unique assets and restored connections to spark new life and economic opportunity in their communities. 

Speakers: 

  • Clark Anderson, Executive Director, Community Builders
  • Hon. Anne Cavelier, Mayor of City of Smithers, W.Va.
  • Hon. Greg Ingram, Mayor of Montgomery, W.Va..

 

BRECC National Network #3 | Crafted by Communities: A Framework for Economic Transition 

Thursday, May 25, 2023 | 3 - 4 p.m. EDT

Explore three pillars for your coal community’s  revitalization. Touching on market expansion, workforce development, and infrastructure improvements, the Just Transition Fund will introduce a framework to help coal communities be comprehensive and forward-thinking during times of economic distress. This session will also feature the Office of Surface Mine Reclamation and Enforcement, speaking to Abandoned Mine Land (AML) and Abandoned Mine Land Economic Revitalization (AMLER) and Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding sources. 

Speakers: 

  • Heidi Binko, Executive Director, Just Transition Fund

  • Rachael Young, Director of Grant Making, Just Transition Fund

  • Yolande Norman-Moore, Chief, Division of Reclamation Support, Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement, U.S. Department of the Interior

BRECC National Network #4 | Exploring Outdoor Recreation as a Component for Economic Diversification

Thursday, July 27, 2023 | 3 - 4 p.m. EDT

Join us for a conversation on outdoor recreation as a viable component to build a robust, diverse local economy. Learn more about research trends linked to outdoor recreation economic development, small business ecosystems and resources that could support coal communities. Participants will learn from a collective of rural communities, all located in or near a national forest region, working together towards economic growth and quality of life while striving to maintain their unique cultural identities.

Speakers: 

BRECC National Network #5 | The Nuts and Bolts of Community Benefits Plans 

Thursday, September 28, 2023 | 3 - 4 p.m. EDT

Join BRECC’s National Network Session and learn how Community Benefits Plans can help ensure new energy projects contribute to local and equitable prosperity. This session will cover the key components and local levers to create meaningful Community Benefits Plans between private developers and community residents. The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) requires Community Benefits Plans as part of all BIL and IRA funding opportunity announcements (FOAs) and loan applications.

Speakers:

  • ReImagine Appalachia 
  • Rocky Mountain Institute 
  • U.S. Department of Energy Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations 

 

BRECC National Network #6

Thursday, November 16, 2023 | 3 - 4 p.m. EDT

Description TBD.

Moderator:

  • Grace Blanchard, Program Manager for Resilient Economies and Communities, National Association of Counties

Speakers: 

BRECC is operated by the National Association of Counties using Federal funds under award ED22HDQ3070080 from the Economic Development Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce. The statements, findings, conclusions, and recommendations are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Economic Development Administration or the U.S. Department of Commerce.