NWCDC Leadership Selected for Two National BRECC Coal Communities Initiatives

March 10, 2023

Through a nationally competitive application process, Northwest Colorado Development Council (NWCDC) leaders have been selected to participate in two National Association of Counties’ (NACo) Building Resilient Economies in Coal Communities (BRECC) Action Challenge and Commitment Coalition initiatives.

The NWCDC regional team will receive coaching support from community and economic development experts as part of the BRECC Action Challenge. The regional team is led by Routt County Commissioner Tim Redmond and includes Dean Sasha Nelson, Colorado Northwestern Community College (CNCC), and Christina Oxley, Colorado Department of Labor and Employment’s Northwest Workforce Area.

“It is the goal of the NWCDC to provide our communities with resources to research and develop projects that increase economic strength, diversity, and resiliency,” said Commissioner Redmond, NWCDC Chair. “This initiative will allow each community to pursue projects that fit their vision and direction. The BRECC action challenge will fill the gap by providing expertise to our impacted region. The opportunity to receive coaching from experts that have real-life experience with coal-impacted communities will be instrumental and reassuring to the process.”

The second BRECC Commitment Coalition initiative was awarded to Moffat County Commissioner Melody Villard. She was selected to participate in a national network of 20 leaders from local, regional, and state governments as well as the nonprofit and private sectors from coal-impacted communities around the country. The BRECC Commitment Coalition is a peer learning network that will deepen their knowledge of economic resilience through virtual workshops and in-person site visits.

“As we face a loss of nearly half of our property tax revenue, for Moffat County to carry out the services and the most basic needs of our residents, we must find ways to quickly implement ideas, actions, and out-of-the-box thinking for future success,” said Commissioner Villard, NWCDC Vice Chair. “My goal would be to focus on actions that can be taken with the most immediate and long-lasting impact on stabilization and future growth.”

In Northwest Colorado, the NWCDC serves the counties of Moffat, Rio Blanco, and Routt, and their seven communities, which face the impending closure of two coal-fired power plants and subsequent mine closures. NWCDC communities underwent DOLA Roadmaps Transition planning and adopted a regional strategic plan to diversify the regional economy. The NWCDC project team supported member communities and stakeholders in applying for the BRECC initiatives.

NACo is a national membership organization that represents the needs and interests of counties from across the United States. Through programming like BRECC, NACo supports county efforts to continue serving and creating opportunities for their county residents.  

“Coal communities play a vital role in our nation’s economic growth,” said Matt Chase, NACo CEO and executive director. “We are committed to helping coal communities increase the resilience and strength of their economies by leveraging NACo’s close relationships with local and federal stakeholders.”

BRECC is a Community of Practice initiative supported by the U.S. Economic Development Administration. BRECC’s programming will build local capacity to pursue a wide range of economic revitalization strategies, including workforce retention and development, infrastructure and alternative energy, placemaking and outdoor recreation, entrepreneurial ecosystems and business development, and sustainability and funding planning.  

“The U.S. Economic Development Administration is committed to supporting coal communities currently facing and experiencing transition,” said Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Alejandra Y. Castillo. “Through the Building Resilient Economies in Coal Communities initiative, we’re delighted to recognize and support the 20 local leaders and eight community teams who were selected to participate in the Commitment Coalition and Action Challenge. They represent the innovative, entrepreneurial leadership that is needed to help coal communities across America build and access new opportunities for growth in the years ahead.”   
 
About NACo

The National Association of Counties (NACo) strengthens America’s counties, including nearly 40,000 county elected officials and 3.6 million county employees. Founded in 1935, NACo unites county officials to advocate for county government priorities in federal policymaking; promote exemplary county policies and practices; nurture leadership skills and expand knowledge networks; optimize county and taxpayer resources and cost savings; and enrich the public’s understanding of county government.

About NWCDC

Northwest Colorado Development Council (NWCDC) is an intergovernmental agreement between Moffat, Rio Blanco, and Routt Counties and the member communities, Craig, Hayden, Meeker, Oak Creek, Rangely, Steamboat Springs, and Yampa. Together these communities work collaboratively to diversify the regional economy and to support workforce development, affordable housing, access to child care, and regional transportation.