BRECC: Campbell County, Wyoming

As the coal industry declines, communities in coal-reliant regions across the American West are facing economic shock, job loss, and deduction in local tax revenue. National Association of Counties’ (NACo) Building Resilient Economies in Coal Communities (BRECC), funded by the U.S. Economic Development Administration, provides assistance to coal communities seeking to revitalize and diversify their economies. Community Builders partnered with NACo to better prepare five Western communities to advance new approaches and projects for economic diversification as they transition away from reliance on coal.

Campbell County, WY is one of the leading producers of coal within the United States. In 2024, Community Builders teamed up with the community on the BRECC Action Challenge – a technical assistance program seeking to empower local leaders to identify and advance projects for economic revitalization and diversification.

Throughout the yearlong process, Community Builders sought to help Campbell County identify strategies to improve the community’s ability to respond to challenges associated with job and revenue loss from coal transition. Key activities included one-on-one coaching, conducting a community assessment, identifying goals and opportunities, establishing high-level strategies and action steps, and preparing local partners to present their economic diversification strategies to federal and policy partners.

The Campbell County Economic Transformation Strategy, the project’s final report, included four key coal transition strategies: cultivate business and industry growth, innovate with new era energy, develop our skilled workforce, and sustain a community of choice. The report also included specific implementation actions and guidance as well as funding opportunities to ensure future momentum after the conclusion of the BRECC Action Challenge.  A key result of the project was a shared vision and priorities for local partners to coordinate efforts and align resources.