Economic and Workforce Development Programming
NACo economic and workforce development programming elevates and drives county innovation in diversifying local economies and building robust workforce development systems and cross-sector partnerships. Participating counties are developing custom solutions to enhance local revenue and strengthen economies and support the economic mobility of our residents by increasing housing supply and connecting residents to meaningful work in the public and private sectors. NACo staff are actively studying barriers to public sector recruitment and retention to help counties address workforce challenges and build a resilient county workforce.
Launched in 2024, Counties for Housing Solutions helped 23 county teams implement strategies to develop publicly owned land and modernize zoning codes. The first 15 counties to participate have already moved forward with plans to increase local housing supply by an estimated 12,000 units.
Current Programming
Counties for Housing Solutions
NACo’s Counties for Housing Solutions program offers free three-month technical assistance sprints to address this challenge by helping counties increase local housing supply.
Rural Leaders for Economic Mobility
This program is a 22-month, 10-county peer-learning cohort that supports rural leaders in advancing equitable economic mobility. The program provides tailored technical assistance to help counties develop and implement Mobility Action Plans focused on workforce, housing, broadband, childcare and other key drivers of rural prosperity.
Economic Recovery Corps (ERC)
The Economic Recovery Corps (ERC) is a 30-month national fellowship, launched in partnership with the U.S. Economic Development Administration, that embeds experienced economic development professionals in counties nationwide to build local capacity and advance inclusive, long-term economic growth.
Recent Past Economic and Workforce Development Programming
Building Resilient Economies in Coal Communities
The Building Resilient Economies in Coal Communities initiative connected coal communities, supported local leaders and built capacity in under-resourced communities to advance new approaches and projects for economic diversification.
Counties for Career Success
The Counties for Career Success initiative supported counties in enhancing pathways to education and employment. The 2023-2024 cohort received technical assistance, expert guidance and peer learning opportunities.
Economic Mobility Leadership Network
The network supports county leaders to develop successful economic mobility strategies for their local communities.
How To Get Involved
- Join the Economic Mobility newsletter featuring our latest news and resources.
Sign Up for Updates
Key Resources
Housing Affordability Resource Hub
This resource hub brings together data, analysis and tools to support county leaders in expanding housing access and affordability for their residents.
BRECC Economic Diversification Toolkit: Guide to Diversify Rural and Transitioning Economies
The toolkit supports all counties across the country to prepare for and recover from economic shocks, such as industry downturn, supply chain disruption, consumer demand change or natural disaster.
Economic Mobility Resource Hub
Explore these resources to promote inclusive economic prosperity for county residents.
Guide for Developing Housing on County-Owned Land
The report provides counties with a practical, five-step framework for developing affordable housing on county-owned land, covering site selection, zoning review, financial feasibility, developer procurement and community engagement. It highlights how counties can reduce development costs, leverage public assets and build community support to expand affordable housing production.
NACo Election Administration Resource Hub for Counties
The resource hub connect county officials with existing resources and FAQs and best practices on election administration.
House WIOA reauthorization revives old concerns over local flexibility
House reintroduces WIOA reauthorization bill, raising concerns over local flexibility.
Successful rural development capitalizes on community groundwork
Effective rural development operations capitalize on local systems that identify needs and opportunities and fortify communities.
White House issues Executive Order addressing barriers to housing construction
White House issues Executive Order addressing barriers to housing construction
National Association of Counties Reinforces Intergovernmental Partnership in Response to State of the Union Address
The National Association of Counties (NACo) responded to President Trump’s State of the Union address with a statement from Executive Director Matthew Chase.
Chamber of commerce program helps keep workers on the job
Audrain County, Mo.'s Workforce Resource Assistance Program has helped employers keep staff in place, reducing turnover and promoting stability.
County leadership guides shared prosperity
There’s no chicken-or-egg debate: Economic mobility is not just a byproduct of growth — it is the result of intentional county governance.
2026 NACo Energy Symposium
Join county leaders from across the country in the Texas Panhandle to engage with the most pressing energy issues shaping rural America today. Hear from experts, exchange ideas with peers and gain practical insights into the policies, projects and partnerships driving rural energy development.
Program Lead
