Visit Rockingham County and the Rockingham County Historic Courthouse
PHOTO CREDIT: Harrisonburg, VA Tourism Location: 80 Courthouse Square / Market StreetBuilt: 1896 – 1897Style: RomanesqueArchitect: T J Collins & SonContractor: W E Spiers Description: The building faces south and is a three story buff colored rough cut stone structure. The building is located on the landscaped grounds of Courthouse Square in the center of […]
COMMONWEALTH CONVERSATIONS: Senator Favola and Delegate Kilgore
On the eve of the 2025 General Assembly Reconvened Session – VACo Executive Director Dean Lynch sits down with Senator Barbara Favola and Delegate Terry Kilgore to discuss a myriad of issues affecting local governments. Watch the Video.
Special General Assembly Committees Grapple with Proposed Federal Funding Reductions, Workforce Cuts
The House of Delegates and the Senate have formed special committees to understand the scope of potential impacts of federal funding reductions on the state budget and the Commonwealth’s ability to provide services. The House Emergency Committee on the Impacts of Federal Workforce and Funding Reductions, which is chaired by Delegate David Bulova, held its […]
Chesapeake Watershed Investments for Landscape Defense (WILD) Grants Request for Proposal
The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF), in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), is soliciting proposals through the 2025 Chesapeake WILD Grants program to conserve, protect, and restore vital fish and wildlife habitat of the Chesapeake Bay and its tributary rivers and streams. Interested applicants should prepare to submit full proposals […]
2025 Stormwater Local Assistance Fund Needs Survey
In 2019, the Stormwater Management Act (Code of Virginia § 62.1-44.15:24 et seq.) was amended to require the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) to annually determine an estimate of the amount of Stormwater Local Assistance Fund (SLAF) matching grants expected to be requested by local governments for eligible projects related to planning, designing, and implementing stormwater best […]
VACo County Pulse Podcast – Energy Landscape of Virginia Series with Joe Lerch | Episode 10
Energy Landscape of Virginia Episode 10 | Harvesting Excess Heat from Data Centers for Energy – District Energy Systems Listen to the Podcast Energy Landscape of Virginia Episode 10 | Harvesting Excess Heat from Data Centers for Energy – District Energy Systems. District Energy Systems are a proven engineering solution that conveys heat between suppliers […]
Governor Releases Proposed Amendments to 2025 Legislation
Governor Youngkin announced on Monday, March 24, that he has offered amendments to 159 bills that were sent to him by the 2025 General Assembly. The legislature will consider these amendments at the April 2 reconvened session along with the Governor’s 205 budget amendments, eight budget vetoes, and vetoes of 157 additional bills. In order […]
Governor Proposes More than 200 Amendments to Budget
Governor Youngkin announced on Monday that he was proposing significant revisions to the state budget as passed by the General Assembly in February. At a press conference Monday afternoon, the Governor explained that he offered 205 amendments to the budget and submitted eight line-item vetoes. In his remarks Monday, the Governor highlighted job growth, business […]
NACo Public Promise Procurement
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1_hV-sdGNvI WATCH THE VIDEO NACo Public Promise Procurement NACo’s Public Promise Procurement platform is a cooperative purchasing initiative designed to help county governments save time and money. Built by the National Association of Counties (NACo), Public Promise Procurement provides counties with access to competitively sourced contracts for essential goods and services. Key Features of PPP: […]
Visit Rockbridge County and the Rockbridge County Historic Courthouse
PHOTO CREDIT: John Deacon | American Courthouses Location: 2 South Main Street / Washington StreetBuilt: 1896 – 1897Style: Classical RevivalArchitect: William George McDowellContractor: A F Withrow Description: The building faces northwest and is a two story red colored brick and stone structure. The building is located on landscaped grounds in the center of Lexington to […]
Governor Vetoes School Construction Financing Bill (SB1307) – Urge Your Legislators to Override
Governor Glenn Youngkin has vetoed SB 1307 (McPike), critical legislation that would have expanded school construction financing options to localities across the Commonwealth. VACo strongly urges members of the General Assembly to vote to override this veto when they reconvene on April 2. What SB1307 Would Have Done Sponsored by Senator Jeremy McPike, SB 1307 […]
Vetoed Bills of Interest to County Governments
On Monday evening, Governor Youngkin announced that he had vetoed 157 bills, including SB 1307 (McPike), as discussed elsewhere in County Connections. At the April 2 reconvened session, the General Assembly will have the opportunity to override these actions through a supermajority vote of two-thirds of members present in each chamber. A full list of […]
VACo County Pulse Podcast – Energy Landscape of Virginia Series with Joe Lerch | Episode 9
Season 5 Energy Landscape of Virginia Series with Joe Lerch Energy Landscape of Virginia Episode 9 | Solar by the Numbers – Facts and Figures Listen to the Podcast Energy Landscape of Virginia Episode 9 | Solar by the Numbers – Facts and Figures Joe Lerch talks with Aaron Berryhill, Solar Program Manager with Virginia […]
Schneider Electric
Abby Weigel Account Executive | 804.248.0523 | abby.weigel@se.com Kevin DeLeon Account Executive | 804.517.2819 | kevin.deleon@se.com Website: www.se.com/ww/en/about-us/sustainability/
Enter the 2025 VACo Achievement Awards
Dear VACo Members – It’s time for the 2025 Achievement Awards Program. Any county department is eligible to compete so ENTER NOW! 2025 Achievement Awards Submission Form All entries are required to be submitted in electronic form. No paper copy submissions are necessary. The electronic submissions should be a PDF or WORD file. Electronic submissions through […]
House Emergency Committee on Impacts of Federal Workforce and Funding Reductions Holds First Meeting
The Emergency Committee on the Impacts of Federal Workforce and Funding Reductions held its initial meeting on Saturday, February 22, prior to the General Assembly concluding its 2025 regular session work. House Speaker Don Scott appointed the bipartisan committee earlier in February, charging committee members with collecting data on the potential scope of reductions to […]