NACo's Building Resilient Economies in Coal Communities (BRECC) initiative serves coal communities seeking to revitalize and diversify their economies. Supported by the U.S. Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration (EDA), BRECC is a knowledge-sharing community of practice. BRECC's activities connect coal communities across the nation, support local leaders and build capacity in under-resourced communities. As a result, BRECC will prepare communities to advance new approaches and projects for economic diversification.

BRECC is made up of four core activities:

  • The BRECC National Network open to all local, state and national stakeholders focused on coal communities
  • The Coal Communities Commitment Coalition, a leadership and peer-learning network where 20 local leaders gain knowledge and guidance on economic diversification strategies
  • The Coal Communities Action Challenge, a technical assistance program where 15 coal communities will receive coaching and capacity-building support to develop an economic diversification plan, and 
  • A National Storytelling Campaign to share coal community experiences with a national audience. 
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New Announcement!

BRECC's 2024 Action Challenge: Seven Communities Selected

NACo announced seven communities spanning 11 counties to be the recipients of individualized planning assistance and peer learning support through the Building Resilient Economies in Coal Communities (BRECC) Action Challenge. This marks the second year for the BRECC Action Challenge, which launched in 2023 with the support of the U.S. Economic Development Administration. Its goal is to strengthen and grow opportunities in local economies shaped by coal industries.

Discover BRECC's 2024 Action Challenge Communities Here

BRECC 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.

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Webinar

A Bright Future: Preserving Coal Community Assets with Solar Opportunities

Join NACo’s Building Resilient Economies in Coal Communities (BRECC) National Network for a learning session focused on the benefits and challenges of solar energy innovation in coal communities.

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Webinar

Economic Transition Strategies from Coal Communities Across the Globe

Join NACo’s Building Resilient Economies in Coal Communities (BRECC) National Network for this collaborative webinar with the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD).

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Webinar

Boosting Career Opportunities in Coal and Manufacturing Communities

Join NACo’s Building Resilient Economies in Coal Communities (BRECC) National Network and Counties for Career Success (C4CS) initiatives for this collaborative webinar that showcases successful programs in coal and manufacturing communities.

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Webinar

BRECC National Network Learning Series: The Nuts and Bolts of Community Benefits Plans

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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Webinar

Jump Right In: Where to Start in Your Coal Community

Join the BRECC National Network to gain access to virtual learning sessions designed to help your coal community plan for a more resilient local economy. 

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Webinar

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

This webinar outlined a Place Value 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.

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Webinar

Crafted by Communities: A Framework for Economic Transition

This session presents the three pillars for coal community revitalization and highlights resources from the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSMRE).

 

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Webinar

Exploring Outdoor Recreation as a Component of Economic Diversification

Join the BRECC National Network for a conversation on outdoor recreation as a viable component to build a robust, diverse local economy.

BRECC Components

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. The BRECC National Network will convene bi-monthly for virtual learning sessions featuring issue-specific presentations, peer breakout discussions, community case examples, and critical funding and resources available to coal communities.

All coal community stakeholders are welcome to join the BRECC National Network. To become part of the National Network, sign-up here.

To join the BRECC Online Community Platform, sign up here. Login to the site here

NACo is excited to partner with the West Virginia Community Development Hub, Colorado-based Community Builders and Entreworks Consulting to provide meaningful technical assistance and educational training to coal communities.  

BRECC programming will also be led by a cross-sector Advisory Council of government, business and nonprofit experts. The Advisory Council will ensure BRECC activities and resources reflect the pressing needs and emerging opportunities for coal community participants.

BRECC's Commitment Coalition

BRECC’s Commitment Coalition will build a peer network of 20 coal community leaders, who will deepen their knowledge of economic resilience through national subject matter experts as well as their counterparts’ community-based experiences. Selectees represent local, regional and state government entities as well as the nonprofit and private sectors. Over two years, the selected leaders will attend in-person site convenings and virtual workshops and share their experiences through BRECC’s national storytelling platform.

NACo proudly announces the following Commitment Coalition members and their corresponding coal community counties and states: 

1. Stephen Allen, Liaison, South Lincoln County Economic Development Corporation, Lincoln County, Wyo. 

2. Marcie Barlow, Community Development Director, Scioto County, Ohio

3. Stuart Clason, Regional Growth Director, Utah Association of Counties, counties of Carbon and Emery, Utah

4. Dr. Sandy Curd, Promise Zone Coordinator, Kentucky Highlands Investment Corporation, USDA Rural Partners Network, counties of Bell, Clay, Harlan, Knox, Leslie, Letcher, Perry and Whitley, Ky.

5. Jenna Draper, Economic Development Director, Six County Association of Governments, counties of Juab, Millard, Piute, Sanpete, Sevier and Wayne, Utah

6. Sharon Fain, Vice President, PacifiCorp/Rocky Mountain Power, counties of Lincoln, Converse, Sweetwater and Campbell, Wyo. and Emery County, Utah

7. Cora Gnegy, Tourism Director, Giles County, Va.

8. Hon. Steve Henry, Judge/Executive, Webster County, Ky.

9. Hon. Marc Kiehna, Commissioner, Randolph County, Ill. 

10. Carolea Mills, Deputy Judge/Executive and Economic Development Director, Martin County, Ky. 

11. Hon. Dan Mosley, Judge/Executive, Harlan County, Ky. 

12. Will Payne, Managing Partner of Coalfield Strategies, counties of Bland, Buchanan, Carroll, Dickenson, Grayson, Lee, Russell, Scott, Smyth, Tazewell, Washington, Wise and Wythe, Va. 

13. Councilperson Gabe Pena, Fayetteville Town Council, Fayetteville County, W.Va. 

14. Hon. Greg Puckett, Commissioner, Mercer County, W.Va.

15. Nicole Smude, Economic Development Coordinator, City of Becker, Minn. 

16. Dr. Mark Sarver, Associate Professor of Business and Workforce Learning, Glenville State University, USDA Rural Partners Network, counties of Braxton, Calhoun, Clay, Gilmer, Nicholas, Roane, Webster and Wirt, W.Va.

17. Hon. Tammy Tincher, Commissioner, Greenbrier County, W.Va.

18. Tina Toyne, Economic Development Director, Big Horn County, Mont.

19. Hon. Melody Villard, Commissioner, Moffat County, Colo.

20. Carla Vita, Director of Energy Transition, Minnesota Department of Economic Development, counties of Chippewa, Otter Trail, St. Louis, Cook, Sherburne, Itasca and Washington, Minn.

What will Coalition leaders do?

Selected leaders will participate in:

  • Travel to four peer exchange site visits hosted by a Coalition community and designed to highlight successful programs and projects for economic diversification
  • A monthly virtual learning series with subject matter experts featuring strategies for recovery from coal's decline, including topics on investing and funding streams, workforce training, economic planning opportunities, community development strategies, broadband project management, federal agency resources, automation and employment and COVID-19 recovery 
  • Peer exchanges where leaders will be paired with a community from a different region to share advice and generate new ideas 
  • Public engagement activities to share learning and strategies with home communities 
  • A storytelling campaign to share local experiences and initiatives with a national audiences, including a blog post on the application of key concepts 
  • Cross-network integration mixers where leaders will have the opportunity to connect with other communities engaged in economic diversification efforts, such as textile communities
  • The broader BRECC National Network virtual convenings with local, regional, state and federal coal community stakeholders, and 
  • In-person workshops at the BRECC Summit taking place at the end of the program period 

Benefits of the Coalition

Selected leaders will:

  • Gain an increased understanding of economic diversification strategies within coal communities and methods for local implementation 
  • Discover new economic development projects, resources and approaches for replication within their community
  • Build relationships with and learn from coal community leaders across U.S. regions, and
  • Connect and share resources through the broader BRECC National Network's virtual convenings with local, regional, state and federal coal community stakeholders.

BRECC's Action Challenge 

BRECC's Action Challenge is a technical assistance program that empowers local leaders to identify and advance projects for economic revitalization and diversification. The Action Challenge  connects community teams with economic development experts from NACo’s BRECC partners the West Virginia Community Development Hub, EntreWorks Consulting and Community Builders. For one year, the selected teams receive one-on-one coaching to develop a locally-driven economic diversification strategy. On February 9, 2024, the eight community teams as part of the BRECC Action Challenge Cohort 1 will present their locally-driven economic diversification strategies to federal and policy partners. Read more about their economic diversification plans below. 

NACo proudly recognizes the following community teams participating in the first Cohort of BRECC’s Action Challenge:

Cumberland Plateau Planning District Commission, Va.: In southwestern Virginia, the Cumberland Plateau Planning District Commission is a regional Economic Development District serving the counties of Buchanan, Dickenson, Russell and Tazewell. With a regional approach, this team seeks to grow economic resilience through entrepreneurship and business development strategies. Read their economic diversification plan here

City of Richwood, Nicolas County, W.Va.: In central West Virginia, the City of Richwood is experiencing population loss tied to the decline of the local coal industry. Building on natural assets, this team looks to expand its outdoor recreation economy with a special focus on a local trail network. Read their economic diversification plan here

Counties of Apache, Coconino and Navajo, Ariz.: In Northern Arizona, the counties of Apache, Coconino and Navajo face the closure and decommissioning of several coal-fired power plants. Collaborating across county borders, this team will coordinate planning to create a complimentary, shared strategy for economic diversification. Read their economic diversification plan  here

Floyd County, Ky.: In eastern Kentucky, Floyd County has seen a decline in coal production over the past three decades and recent flooding has exacerbated economic hardships. Led by a newly created long-term recovery group, this team will pursue opportunities in outdoor and cultural tourism as well as residential attraction. Read their economic diversification plan  here

Pike County, Ind.: In southwestern Indiana, Pike County’s employment and tax base are closely tied to a coal-fired plant slated to be decommissioned. This team will create a local strategy around business attraction and workforce retention goals. Read their economic diversification plan here

Perry County, Ohio: Perry County is facing the impact of its last two mines closing. This team will advance planning for placemaking economic development strategies. Read their economic diversification plan  here

Northwest Colorado Development Council, Colo.: In Northwest Colorado, the Northwest Colorado Development Council serves the counties of Rio Blanco, Moffat and Routt, which faces the impending closure of two coal-fired power plants. In partnership with a regional community college, this team will expand on strategies for advancing clean energy initiatives. Read their economic diversification plan here.

San Juan County, N.M.: In northwest New Mexico, San Juan County is experiencing the closure of one coal-fired power plant and faces the impending closure of another. In partnership with Four Corners Economic Development, this team will advance strategies for workforce redevelopment and business expansion. Read their economic diversification plan  here

Learn more about the seven communities competitively selected for Cohort 2 of the BRECC Action Challenge here

 

BRECC Storytelling

Corey Ringenberg, special initiatives director for Coconino County, Ariz., compares his team’s business development strategy to the book and film “Moneyball,” encouraging communities to just get ‘on base’ and not try to hit home runs. Photo by Jorge Rodriguez-Stanley
County News

Coal counties search for a crystal ball to their futures

The transition from a coal-reliant community is not just an economic adjustment, it's a cultural transformation.

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Press Release

Seven Coal Communities Selected to Receive Support Through National Initiative

National Association of Counties announces participants in Building Resilient Economies in Coal Communities Action Challenge

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Advocacy

Coal Power Plant Closures Spur Regional Response in Northwest Colorado

The three counties that form the northwest corner of Colorado — Moffat, Rio Blanco, and Routt — share a history shaped by the coal, oil and natural gas industries. As the coal industry declines across the region, they now also share the same economic challenges. 

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County News

BRECC visits Southwest Virginia counties

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Advocacy

Looking beyond economic assets to find your community’s 'sweet spot'

Place value framework emphasizes asset based economic development that leverages and enhances local place-based assets, amenities and resources.

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County News

Participants announced to receive specialized technical assistance through NACo’s Building Resilient Economies in Coal Communities Initiative

NACo announces the final selection of communities and local leaders to participate in the Building Resilient Economies in Coal Communities (BRECC) initiative.

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County News

Even a ‘Colstrip’ has economic options

Sign Up for the BRECC National Network

To become part of the National Network and receive updates on all BRECC programming, sign up using the form.

Support

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.