Rural Energy Academy
Rural Energy Academy In partnership with the National Association of Counties (NACo) and Mana Group Consulting, NADO’s Rural Energy Academy serves as a national resource
June 16, 2026
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The Business of Nuclear: Communities & Industry Working Together
The Business of Nuclear: Communities & Industry Working Together NADO Attends 2026 Energy Communities Alliance (ECA) Forum In April 2026, Energy Communities Alliance (ECA) hosted their fifth
June 15, 2026
Tips for EDDs on Contracting Planning Services for Member Communities
This resource provides tips and best practices drawn from the experiences of EDD staff who have managed fee-for-service or contract planning services in their member communities. While the EDDs featured operate in the Southeast, their lessons can apply broadly to districts across the country
June 1, 2026
Video: A Career in Regional Economic Development
A career with an EDD or RDO offers the chance to make a meaningful, lasting impact on the communities and regions you serve. In this video, you’ll hear from four experienced leaders in regional economic development as they reflect on their career paths, the impact of their work, and what it takes to succeed in the field.
May 26, 2026
NADO 2025-2030 Strategic Plan
2025-2030 Strategic Plan This report presents a strategic plan designed to guide the future organizational development of the National Association of Development Organizations (NADO). The
May 21, 2026
NADO Board of Directors
2026-2028 NADO Board of Directors The NADO Board of Directors oversees the association’s budget and operations and develops policy on issues affecting Regional Development Organizations
May 5, 2026
Building Capacity and Strengthening EDD-University Connections In Arkansas
This case study demonstrates how University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture Cooperative Extension Service (UADA Extension) partners with all eight EDA-designated Economic Development Districts in Arkansas to strengthen regional capacity, with a focus on its long-standing collaboration with the Western Arkansas Planning and Development District (WAPDD). It highlights how coordinated efforts in training, data sharing, and community facilitation have evolved into a scalable, locally rooted model for university–EDD partnerships.
May 12, 2026
Building Connection and Economic Opportunity Through Community Forestry
In 2023, Upper Coastal Plain Council of Governments (UCPCOG) in eastern North Carolina received funding to hire a dedicated staff member to establish a Community Forestry Program. The new position allowed UCPCOG to expand its regional service offerings and respond to growing member interest in urban and community forestry as a tool to support livability, resilience, and local capacity building, particularly in economically distressed communities with limited staff and resources.
April 29, 2026
[Webinar]: Building Partnerships to Support Regional Economic Growth
Over the past four years, New Growth Innovation Network (NGIN) has managed the Economic Partnership Alliance, training 141 organizations and supporting 24 cross-sector partnerships across the country. Insights from this initiative, funded by the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA), have been distilled into the Economic Alliance Playbook, which were shared on this webinar hosted by the NADO Research Foundation as part of the EDD Community of Practice.
August 19, 2026
[Webinar]: Why Clusters Matter: Industry-focused Strategies for Regional Economic Competitiveness
This webinar showed how cluster strategies align business, workforce, and public investment, shared real examples from Economic Development District staff using cluster analysis, and outlined practical steps for regions to launch or strengthen their own cluster initiatives.
April 8, 2026