ARPA Impact Report: An Analysis of How Counties are Addressing National Issues With Local Investments
America's nearly 40,000 county elected officials and 3.6 million county employees are on the frontlines of the nation's response to the coronavirus pandemic. As the country emerges from the pandemic and grapples with the toll it has taken on our citizens, counties are responding and rebuilding. At the same time, many counties are still confronting significant workforce shortage pressures at a time with growing, critical resident needs.
With American Rescue Plan funds, counties are strengthening America's workforce, addressing the nation's behavioral health crisis, expanding broadband access, improving housing affordability and building prosperous communities for the next generation.
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NACo Analysis of the American Rescue Plan Act
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County Investments of American Rescue Plan Recovery Funds
NACo submits comments on 2030 Census Address Update Program
On April 20, 2026, NACo submitted formal comments to the U.S. Census Bureau on the proposed reinstatement of the Local Update of Census Addresses (LUCA) Operation for the 2030 Census. The Bureau had issued a Federal Register notice in February 2026 opening a 60-day public comment period on the program's design before submitting it to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for approval.
Senate Budget Committee releases blueprint for reconciliation 2.0
On April 21, U.S. Senate Budget Committee Chairman Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) unveiled a budget resolution to advance a party-line reconciliation package focused on immigration enforcement and funding for agencies within the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), including the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The resolution is the first step in a two-part process aimed at producing final legislation by June 1.
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.
Counties are concerned farm bill doesn’t address SNAP cuts, cost shifts
County officials in the 10 states that administer the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program are expressing concern that the farm bill does not address H.R.1’s cuts and cost-shifts to the nation’s largest food safety net program.
NACo launches 2026 Public Health Leadership Academy Cohort to Strengthen County Health
The National Association of Counties (NACo) announces the launch of the inaugural 2026 Public Health Leadership Academy.