Rural Energy Academy
NACo’s Rural Energy Academy empowers county leaders with information and support to make energy decisions that work best for their communities. Rising energy demand, technological advances, changes in federal policy and increased attention on rural areas with advantageous wind, solar and land resources has created a meet-the-moment opportunity for rural counties interested in exploring or expanding their energy potential.
In 2026, NACo’s Rural Energy Academy will focus on helping rural county leaders navigate development and siting of wind, solar, battery storage and data centers and whether they are right for their residents, economies and natural resources. In partnership with the National Association of Development Organizations (NADO), this initiative supports rural counties by providing:
- Energizing Counties Resource Hub - resources tailored to county considerations
- Energy Counties Exchange - a virtual community platform for peer engagement
- Peer Exchange - site visits to rural energy communities
- Technical Assistance - individual and group-based technical assistance to solve a local challenge
2026 Program Calendar
January: Applications are open for the Academy's 12-week technical assistance cohort, deadline: January 30
- February: Rural Energy Academy cohort launches at NACo Legislative Conference
- June*: Summer Rural Energy Academy peer exchange event (Topic: Energy and Economic Development)
- November*: Fall Rural Energy Academy peer exchange event (Topic: Data Centers)
*Applications will open approximately two months prior to the event. Bookmark this page or sign up below to be notified about upcoming opportunities!
Technical Assistance
Cohort-based Technical Assistance
Apply now to join NACo’s Rural Energy Academy Technical Assistance Cohort!
This program will convene rural leaders for a three-month technical assistance cohort to help counties navigate energy-related challenges based on their community’s unique resources and priorities. In partnership with Mana Group Consulting, this intensive sprint will provide counties with synchronous and asynchronous learning, one-on-one technical assistance and peer learning.
This free 12-week program will support rural county leaders navigating wind, solar and/or battery energy storage system (BESS) development, resulting in one of three implementation-ready deliverables for local use:
- a draft zoning or siting ordinance
- a community engagement plan or
- a framework for community benefit agreements
For more detail, please view the information sheet below
REA Technical Assistance Cohort Information Sheet
Completed applications must to be submitted through the online application form by Friday, January 30, 11:59 p.m. ET.
Questions should be emailed to energy@naco.org.
Individual Technical Assistance
To learn how the Rural Energy Academy can support you and your team, complete this contact form to connect with NACo staff and experienced partners from Mana Group Consulting.
Peer Learning
Join NACo’s Energy Counties Exchange
NACo’s Energy Counties Exchange is an online community platform that connects county leaders with energy tools, resources and a community of peers focused on addressing the opportunities and challenges of clean energy at a county level. To access this community and all REA programming updates, sign up here:
Attend a Peer Exchange
Watch this space for peer exchange updates and application information
June 2026: Two-day event to focus on Energy and Economic Development
November 2026: Two-day event to focus on Data Centers
Recent Events: Gilliam, Sherman and Wasco Counties, Ore. Peer Exchange
In December 2025, NACo co-hosted the first Rural Energy Academy peer exchange with Gilliam, Wasco and Sherman Counties, Oregon. These agricultural counties on the Columbia Plateau have decades of experience navigating the complexities of siting wind energy projects while reaping local benefits and are applying lessons learned to emerging solar projects and engagement with local data centers. This immersive one-and-a-half-day event blends peer learning, expert insights and tours of energy projects. Key themes explored:
- Siting and permitting wind and solar
- Economics of energy generation and storage
- Data centers and community benefits
- End-of-life use
- Community engagement
Coming Soon: event agenda, videos and key lessons learned
Related Resources & Initiatives
Energizing Counties Resource Hub
NACo empowers counties with the tools and resources needed to consider and facilitate energy projects best suited for local communities. NACo is developing resources and tailored guidance to assist local governments in navigating the opportunities and challenges of different energy industries.
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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.
Project Contacts
Blake Gardiner
Padma Kasthurirangan
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Intended Use
This content is intended for educational purposes only. The National Association of Counties (NACo) supports policies and programs that equip county governments with the resources and flexibility needed to serve our residents. NACo does not endorse any particular strategy or approach shared in this resource over another. For official NACo positions, please refer to the American County Platform.