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Is your county or region experiencing economic challenges due to the contraction of the coal industry? Are you seeking effective approaches to support economic diversification, workforce development, and improved quality-of-life in your community?

Join the National Association of Counties and the National Association of Development Organizations (NADO) Research Foundation in Denver, Colo.  May 1-3, 2019  for the Strengthening Economies in the West Coal-Reliant Communities Challenge, a team-based challenge workshop that will convene county and regional leaders from Colorado, Montana, Utah & Wyoming for a hands-on, interactive event.  

County and regional leaders are asked to form teams and apply to participate in this opportunity to learn more about economic diversification planning and strategies, while building out a roadmap and action plan for implementation. Selected teams will also network with and learn from community peers from across the West, in addition to engaging with federal agencies and other subject-matter experts focusing on strengthening economic resilience. Teams will also receive tailored pre- and post-workshop mentoring.  Limited travel stipends will be available for teams to receive as well.  

Please note that this program is not limited to coal-producing counties and regions. Communities that are home to coal-fired power plants, coal processing facilities, and transportation hubs are encouraged to apply. 

This event is funded through the support of the U.S. Economic Development Administration – Denver Regional Office, as part of NACo and NADO RF's four-state initiative: Strengthening Economies in the West, which provides tailored economic diversification support and technical assistance for coal-reliant counties and regions in Colorado, Montana, Utah & Wyoming. Through this regional initiative, state-specific forums were held in Utah in October 2017, Montana in April 2018, Colorado in September 2018, and Wyoming in October 2018. This initiative kicked off in April of 2017 with an initial region-wide educational forum in Denver.

For questions or more information please contact NACo Progam Manager, Jack Morgan at jmorgan@naco.org or 202-942-4274 .