Candace Meredith - NACO Deputy Director
I recently had the opportunity to attend the National Association of Counties (NACo) 2026 Annual Conference, held July 17–20 in Orleans Parish, Louisiana. As always, the conference delivered a rich mix of policy conversations, peer learning, and practical takeaways.
One of the most active conversation threads throughout the conference was data center siting. We participated in several workshops and informal discussions on this topic and had the chance to share our newly released NACO land use toolkit. It was a great opportunity to introduce that resource to peers, but the bigger takeaway was that this work is really just beginning. Counties across the country are grappling with similar questions, and there's a real appetite for shared tools and templates. A few additional concepts came up, such as revenue-generating frameworks that ensure counties and the communities have benefits from hosting data center infrastructure, transparency in reporting requirements so communities have clear visibility into project impacts and commitments, and air quality guidelines tailored to the unique footprint of data center operations. These ideas felt like the beginning of a policy conversation that will only grow more important as data center development conversations accelerate nationwide. I would highly recommend signing up for the Rural Energy Academy, which empowers county leaders with information and support to make energy decisions that work best for their communities. https://www.naco.org/program/rural-energy-academy
I also attended a session on social media and effective communication for local government, which offered a clear-eyed look at what's resonating with audiences right now. What's breaking through: short-form video, plain-language explainers, human-centered stories, behind-the-scenes access, and platform-specific content. The message was simple but important: residents want to see the people and stories behind their local government, not just announcements. It's a good reminder that how we communicate matters just as much as what we're communicating.
As a member of the Telecommunications and Technology (T&T) Policy Steering Committee, I attended a session covering the issues our committee is actively tracking — from broadband deployment and federal funding to AI policy and cybersecurity. If any county leader is considering getting involved in a NACo steering committee, I can't recommend it enough. You don't even need to attend in person — committees also meet virtually throughout the year. The information shared is genuinely valuable, and the connections you build are remarkable. https://www.naco.org/page/policy-steering-committees-caucuses
Jon Cannon and I also attended a session on state preemption and property tax, which explored how state-level preemption laws are affecting counties' ability to generate revenue and land use decisions. Here is the link to learn more about the State Trends in Land Use Preemption and Property Tax. https://www.naco.org/state-policy/land-use
As President J.D. Clark wrapped up his presidential year — built around helping counties tell their story — we're excited to head into 2026-2027 under the leadership of incoming President George Dunlap. Looking further ahead, I'll be attending the NACo Energy Symposium in Armstrong, Carson and Potter Counties, Texas, and look forward to bringing back even more resources for county leadership.
Please reach out to me if you have any questions about the NACo resources or are interested in being on a NACo Steering Committee.
