March 24, 2017

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THIS WEEK’S HIGHLIGHTS

  • Recap of NADO’s 2017 Washington Policy Conference: NADO on the Hill
  • Dear Colleague Letter Circulating in House in Support of at Least Level Funding for EDA in FY2018
  • Last Chance! Apply for an Excellence in Regional Transportation Award by March 27
  • Save the Date: Economic Development Finance Service (EDFS) Conference is June 28 – 30
  • NADO’s 2017 Annual Training Conference – Join Your Peers in Anchorage for NADO’s 50th ATC
  • Latest Issue of “Building Stronger Economies in Appalachian Coal Country” Now Available
  • The NADO Innovation Awards are Back! Application Window to Run April 3 – June 3

LEGISLATIVE NEWS

Recap of NADO’s 2017 Washington Policy Conference: NADO on the Hill

Earlier this week, regional development representatives and related stakeholders descended on our nation’s capital for the 2017 Washington Policy Conference: NADO on the Hill. Over three days, participants engaged in meaningful discussions on rural development, workforce, infrastructure, and economic diversification and learned about the current political and legislative climate. Tuesday afternoon, attendees embarked upon Capitol Hill to visit with members of Congress and staff, advocating for federal programs in their respective regions. Following the release of the president’s budget blueprint, conference attendees communicated the importance of the U.S. Economic Development Administration and other community and economic development programs to local and regional economies.

The conference provided several opportunities to engage with federal agency officials and policy experts to better understand the current political environment and utilize available programs. The Federal Agency Networking event offered an opportunity for conference attendees to connect one-on-one with representatives from twenty federal agencies. David Wasserman from The Cook Political Report provided an in-depth look back at the 2016 election and what it means for policymakers moving forward. During NADO on the Hill, Senator Thad Cochran (R-MS) was presented with a 2017 NADO Legislator of the Year Award. The other recipient of this award, Senator Jon Tester (D-MT), was honored at the NADO on the Hill Reception. Both recipients are long-standing advocates for rural economic development. Justin Clark, Deputy Assistant to the President and Director of the White House Office of Intergovernmental Relations, discussed the administration’s view on infrastructure and how the administration can respond to local needs.

Thank you to everyone who participated in the Washington Policy Conference: NADO on the Hill! Photos of the conference are available on Facebook and Twitter.

Dear Colleague Letter Circulating in House in Support of at Least Level Funding for EDA in FY2018

A Dear Colleague letter is circulating in the House to the Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee supporting at least level funding for the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) in fiscal year (FY) 2018. The current funding level for EDA is $261 million. The President’s FY2018 Budget Blueprint released on March 16 recommends the elimination of EDA.

The House letter is being led by Representatives James McGovern (D-MA) and John Duncan (R-TN). Click here to view the letter.The deadline for signatures is Thursday, March 30. For more information, contact Susan Howard at .

Bill Introduced in the Senate to Assess Broadband’s Economic Impact

On March 15, legislation was introduced in the Senate to gauge broadband’s influence on the economy. The bill, Measuring the Economic Impact of Broadband Act of 2017 (S. 645), directs the U.S. Department of Commerce to survey businesses, local governments, and community groups in determining how broadband impacts the economy. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Co-chairs of the Senate Broadband Caucus, are lead sponsors of the bill.

NADO NEWS AND NOTES

Last Chance!Apply for an Excellence in Regional Transportation Award by March 27

Last year, the NADO Research Foundation and RPO America recognized 30 projects for their outstanding efforts in regional transportation planning, programs, and service delivery through the Excellence in Regional Transportation Awards program. This diverse set of projects included encouraging bicycle tourism; improving safety, freight and passenger movements, and economic development in one intersection project; developing a spatial analysis method to propose possible rail station locations; public education and input through Complete Streets demonstrations; recommendations for statewide approach to rural transportation performance measurement; streamlined processes for local applications for state and federal funds; and many, many more examples.

This diverse set of award-winning efforts had one thing in common: YOU, regional development organizations and transportation organizations and your partners, making your communities better connected, more mobile, and more accessible.

NADO members can apply now for the 2017 Excellence in Regional Transportation Awards, but only until March 27. Apply online here. Award winners will be recognized at a special networking reception during the 2017 National Regional Transportation Conference, June 28 – 30. Contact NADO Associate Director Carrie Kissel with any questions, at .

Save the Date: Economic Development Finance Service (EDFS) Conference is June 28 – 30

Registration and a draft agenda will be available soon for the 2017 Economic Development Finance Conference, which will occur June 28 – 30 in Denver, CO. Organizers are preparing workshop content related to business plan and credit analysis, loan workouts, technical assistance for borrowers, loan loss reserves, loan fund committees, current innovations in and challenges to small business lending, federal program updates, and much more…including mobile learning outside of the hotel!

For more information or to suggest ideas for the agenda, please contact NADO Deputy Executive Director Laurie Thompson at . The event will occur at the Grand Hyatt Denver. The special conference room rate is $178 single/double.

NADO’s 2017 Annual Training Conference – Join Your Peers in Anchorage for NADO’s 50th ATC

NADO will celebrate 50 years of working in partnership with regional development organizations to promote strong regional economies across the nation during our 2017 ATC in Anchorage. We hope you will be there for this momentous occasion and to participate in our annual event that is designed specifically for RDOs and EDDs. As always, staff is planning an agenda full of best practice learning opportunities, mobile workshops (not only outside of the hotel and around Anchorage but also locations outside of Anchorage), professional and organizational development workshops, inspiring plenary sessions, and much more.

The conference will be held at the Dena’Ina Convention Center. The Anchorage Hilton and Anchorage Marriott Downtown have set aside room blocks to accommodate attendees. Be on the lookout for conference details in the next week or two, as well as conference registration information.

Latest Issue of “Building Stronger Economies in Appalachian Coal Country” Now Available
The latest installment of “Building Stronger Economies in Appalachian Coal Country” is now available. This curated bi-weekly newsletter is a joint resource from the NADO Research Foundationand the National Association of Counties.NADO and NACo are collaborating on a POWER technical assistance grant generously provided by the Appalachian Regional Commission. This newsletter is delivered every other Wednesday and contains news about economic diversification efforts in Appalachia, resources and funding opportunities, and upcoming events and trainings. Though geared towards Appalachian communities, the information and resources offered should be useful to any community seeking to diversity and strengthen its economy. Clickhereto read the March 22 issue. Past issues are also archived here. E-mail Brett Schwartz at o join the mailing list or share your ideas about the newsletter.

SWREDA 2017 Conference Scheduled for July 26 – 28

With support from the EDA Austin Regional Office, NADO is partnering with the Southwest Region Executive Directors Association (SWREDA) to conduct the 2017 SWREDA conference July 26 – 28 in Baton Rouge. The conference will be held at the Hilton Baton Rouge Capitol Center and room rates are $98 single/double.Details about the conference and the registration form will be available soon.


NADO Research Foundation and the Indiana Business Research Center to Host Webinar Featuring the New Innovation Index 2.0 Tool
Join the NADO Research Foundation and the Indiana Business Research Center (IBRC) on April 4 from 2:00 – 3:15 p.m. ET for a free webinar that will take a closer look at the Innovation Index 2.0, a new web index from StatsAmerica funded with support from the U.S. Economic Development Administration. The Innovation Index 2.0 is a free web resource that can give economic development practitioners and regional leaders the ability to assess their region's economic strengths and challenges and provide valuable data that can utilized when writing a Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) or other regional economic development plan. The Innovation Index 2.0 expands on a previous index by adding more than 50 new measures. Data are shown at the county level and can be aggregated to a regional level based on the user's needs. Data and analysis can inform stakeholders' collective action toward a common vision and can guide complex decision-making at the regional level by identifying a region's capabilities, shortfalls, and potential. Click here to register. Questions? E-mail Brett Schwartz at .

The NADO Innovation Awards are Back!Application Window to Run April 3 – June 3

The NADO Innovation Awards program, started in 1986, recognizes member organizations that demonstrate innovative approaches to regional economic and community development. Previous award-winning projects have showcased innovative efforts in a variety of program areas including business and economic development, community health initiatives, emergency planning, brownfields, sustainability, technology, transportation, workforce development, and many others. The application window will run from April 3 – June 3. Stay tuned for more information. Questions? E-mail Brett Schwartz at . Explore last year’s winners in an interactive Story Map designed by Esri by clicking here.

Upcoming NADO Research Foundation Webinar: Access vs. Isolation: Preserving Rail Connectivity

On April 21 from 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. ET, the NADO Research Foundation will host the free webinar Access vs. Isolation: Preserving Rail Connectivity. As regional economies change over time, the demand for transportation facilities and services also evolves. As a result of a decline in coal demand and output, private sector freight transportation has decreased. Rail lines and service are a valuable transportation network asset and a concern for maintaining and growing future economic activity that might rely on access to active rail lines. The webinar speakers will use transportation impacts of the decline of coal production in Appalachia as an example to frame the issue of rail preservation for attendees from across in the nation, as well as within the Appalachian region. NADO will apply to offer 1 AICP CM credit for attending the webinar. Register online here. Contact NADO Associate Director Carrie Kissel with questions, at .

Economic Diversification Forum for Coal-Reliant Regions in the West Scheduled for April 19 – 21 in Denver
The NADO Research Foundation and the National Association of Counties, with support from the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) Denver Regional Office, are hosting a free educational and interactive forum on economic diversification for Western coal-reliant communities and regions on April 19 – 21 in Denver. Designed for stakeholders from Colorado, Montana, Utah, and Wyoming to assist counties and regions that are experiencing economic challenges due to the contraction of the coal industry, this convening will bring together stakeholders from a variety of public and private sectors for an educational and interactive gathering to share best practices, lessons learned, and new opportunities to support economic diversification. Prepare for a mix of plenary sessions and smaller group discussions covering a variety of topics including infrastructure, manufacturing, entrepreneurship, local foods, and arts and tourism. The forum will also have plenty of opportunities for networking with your peers, federal officials, and other practitioners who are promoting economic and community development at the local, regional, and state level. Click here to register and for more information. Contact Brett Schwartz at with any questions. See you in Denver!

National Regional Transportation Conference: Registration Now Open

The 2017 National Regional Transportation Conference will provide information on updating transportation planning practices and innovations in the field for new and seasoned regional transportation professionals from rural and small metropolitan regions. Occurring June 28 – 30 in Denver, Colorado, the conference will offer unparalleled networking and learning experiences for RDO and RTPO staff.

The draft conference agenda (PDF) offers information on the sessions under development for the conference, including aligning transportation and economic development plans, data for regional planning, public engagement, performance measurement, and more. Many of these session topics were requested by prior attendees and other NADO members in training needs surveys and conference evaluations. Visit the conference website for more information and to register. Contact NADO Associate Director Carrie Kissel with questions, at .

FEDERAL NEWS AND NOTES

Federal Performance Measure Rule Implementation Delayed

On March 21, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) announced through a Federal Register notice that the implementation date of two performance measure regulations would be delayed until May 20. The two rules are Assessing Pavement Condition for the National Highway Performance Program and Bridge Condition for the National Highway Performance Program and Assessing Performance of the National Highway System, Freight Movement on the Interstate System, and Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program. These rules had been finalized in January 2017, but the agency announced a delayed implementation date to allow for further review before the rules go into effect. Questions may be directed to . For general resources and information on the topic, visit FHWA’s website on Transportation Performance Management.

National Small Business Week is April 30 - May 6

The U.S. Small Business Administration will be recognizing National Small Business Week from April 30 to May 6. There will be several events held throughout the ten SBA regions and 68 districts during this time. Specific events and details will be updated and available here.

Report Available on Regional Bike/Ped and Transit

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) recently released a report on bike/ped and transit. The report, Regional Cooperation and Bike/Ped and Transit Connections, provides insight from a peer exchange in October of 2016. Click here to access the report.

Applications Open for Healthy Communities Grant Program

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is seeking applications to its Healthy Communities Grant Program. The program provides funding to projects that reduce environmental risks, protect and enhance human health, and contribute to quality of life. Applications are due April 7. More information is available here.

ADDITIONAL NOTES

American Society of Civil Engineers Releases 2017 Infrastructure Report Card

The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) has released its 2017 Infrastructure Report Card. Every four years, ASCE develops a report card giving grades for the nation’s infrastructure based on capacity, condition, funding, future need, operation and maintenance, public safety, resilience, and innovation. For 2017, ASCE has scored the nation’s overall infrastructure health as a D+, even with the 2013 grade. Learn more and find state infrastructure information at

Aspen Institute Seeks Input on Construction and Apprenticeship Programs

The Aspen Institute is conducting a survey to gauge the availability of workforce programs for entry-level construction employment. Aspen’s Workforce Strategies Institute would like to compile the number and location of existing programs, services provided, and ability to connect diverse groups of job seekers to employment. Survey results will be helpful to investors and policymakers interested in pre-apprenticeship construction training programs. If you provide construction-related workforce services with the goal of providing a pathway into entry-level construction trades work and/or into registered apprenticeship programs, please complete the survey. The survey closes April 14 and is available here.

NADO Calendar of EventS

2017 National Regional Transportation Conference
June 28 – 30, 2017
Grand Hyatt Denver, Denver, CO

2017 Economic Development Finance Service (EDFS) Conference

June 28 – 30, 2017

Grand Hyatt Denver, Denver, CO

2017 SWREDA Conference
July 26 – 28, 2017
Hilton Baton Rouge Capitol Center, Baton Rouge, LA

2017 NADO Annual Training Conference | NADO’s 50th Anniversary
September 9 – 12, 2017
Dena’ina Civic and Convention Center, Anchorage, AK

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by other organizations or outside publications referenced in NADO News do not necessarily reflect the policies or views of the National Association of Development Organizations or its members.

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