NADO has released its 2020 Annual Report (PDF) which provides an overview of the key priorities, goals, and projects that NADO and the NADO Research Foundation have prioritized throughout 2020, as well as the association’s key accomplishments. Despite the unique challenges of the past year, NADO has remained committed to advocating for federal funding for NADO members’ programs, and providing timely information, training, and resources.
With input from the membership, NADO advocated for increased federal funding in collaboration with other national stakeholders. This resulted in supplemental funding for the U.S. Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration (EDA) via the passage of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act. NADO also successfully advocated to reform the EDA Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) program to allow greater flexibility for EDA RLF operators.
The NADO Research Foundation secured nearly $1.6 million in new grants to support and provide NADO members with current and relevant information, training, and research. In lieu of in-person convenings, NADO hosted virtual events including the Annual Training Conference and the National Regional Transportation Conference and provided 26 webinars that covered a broad range of topics. 97 NADO members were recognized for their work through NADO’s annual Impact and Excellence in Transportation Awards and NADO’s annual photo contest. One of the NADO Research Foundation’s recently secured grants will help support the development of a curriculum for enhancing Economic Development Districts (EDD) organizational capacity; we look forward to sharing more information about this initiative in the coming months.
As an organization, NADO remains strong. During 2020 NADO relocated to a new office and added three new staff members: a Meetings and Membership Manager, a Database and Grants Manager, and a Research Fellow. NADO currently has 379 members: 312 General Members and 67 Associate Members. We encourage you to review NADO’s 2020 Annual Report and to share it with your colleagues. Click here to read the report (PDF). Now on to 2021!
