2026 Impact Award Recipients
The annual Impact Awards program honors NADO members for their creative approaches to advancing regional economic development and improving quality of life.
July 14, 2026
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2024 “An Afternoon with the Districts” Presentation Materials
The NADO Research Foundation hosted “An Afternoon with the Districts” in March 2024 as part of its Economic Development District Community of Practice. This event brought together nearly 80 participants for an afternoon of networking and data and metrics training
March 20, 2024
Universities as Regional Anchors: How Economic Development Districts Are Prioritizing Higher Education Partnerships in the CEDS
Drawing on data from the State and Local Economic Development Strategies (SLEDS) database, this brief from the University Economic Development Association examines how EDDs can better incorporate higher education institutions into their CEDS process and plans and shares examples of how EDDs use the CEDS to foster stronger partnerships with universities and colleges.
August 25, 2026
From Pass-Through to Destination: Pioneer Trails Regional Planning Commission and the Saline County Visitor Center
This case study highlights how the Pioneer Trails Regional Planning Commission (PTRPC) in Missouri facilitated the transformation of Marshall Junction from an underutilized interchange into a growing economic gateway for the region through strategic planning, grant writing, partnership development, funding coordination, and project management.
September 28, 2026
EDDs in Action: Central Shenandoah Planning District Commission
This installment of the EDDs in Action video series showcases the Central Shenandoah Planning District Commission (CSPDC), an Economic Development District (EDD) serving five counties in Virginia. In this video, you’ll see how CSPDC works alongside local partners and businesses to strengthen communities and expand economic opportunity through investments in site readiness, workforce training, business development, and placemaking.
August 18, 2026
EDDs in Action: Region 4 & Region VII Planning District Commissions (West Virginia)
Two of West Virginia’s Economic Development Districts, Region 4 Planning and Development Council and Region VII Planning and Development Council are featured in this edition of EDDs in Action. In this video, you’ll see how these EDDs are partnering with local communities and organizations to advance water infrastructure, industrial development, and tourism initiatives.
September 14, 2026
Nuclear Power and Battery Storage: Rural Energy Academy Visits North Central Illinois
From Monday, June 29 through Wednesday, July 1, 2026, the National Association of Counties’ Rural Energy Academy (REA) hosted a peer exchange in Grundy County, Illinois, bringing together county leaders from across the country for site visits and briefings centered on two pressing energy technologies facing rural communities today: nuclear power and Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS).
August 17, 2026
EDD Disaster Preparedness and Recovery Materials: Presentation & Workbook
Presentation materials and an accompanying workbook from a recent disaster preparedness workshop for EDDs are now available. These resources can help staff assess vulnerabilities, map regional networks, align planning efforts, and develop a 90-day action agenda to support regional preparedness and strengthen economic resilience.
August 4, 2026
Strategic Planning And Revitalization for Communities
East Central Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission (ECWRPC) is using a creative method to plan with small communities in their region. SPARC, Strategic Planning And Revitalization for Communities, is a small community technical assistance program that combines visioning workshops, design consultation, and grant assistance to help communities move projects forward.
June 25, 2026
Webinar – Stronger Together: Cooperative Models
This webinar explores how cooperative models can help communities respond to disruption, retain jobs, and reposition key industries for growth.
June 25, 2026
Senate Agriculture Committee Advances Farm Bill Discussion Draft
On June 23, Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman John Boozman (R-AR) introduced the Senate version of the 2026 Farm Bill, the Agricultural Act of 2026. Major portions of the Senate discussion draft are similar to the House version that passed back in April. For Regional Development Organizations (RDOs), this bill represents an opportunity to influence federal policy that shapes everyday life in rural America.
July 16, 2026
Treasury and IRS Publish Proposed Rule on Opportunity Zone Requirements
On September 11, the U.S. Department of Treasury (Treasury) and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) published a notice of proposed rulemaking and a notice of public hearing on information reporting requirements for qualified opportunity zones (OZs) as well as updated qualified opportunity fund (QOF) procedures for certification and decertification.
September 14, 2026