Washington County publishes Key Insights from 2021-2026 Economic Recovery Efforts

In their newly released Economic Recovery and Resiliency Report, the County’s Economic Development Program provides a comprehensive overview of countywide recovery and resilience efforts from 2021 to 2026.

Funded through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), the report outlines how federal investments supported small businesses, strengthened workforce pathways and built community capacity during the post-pandemic recovery.

“The strength of the County’s economic recovery and resiliency efforts comes from the strength of our partnerships,” said Adrienne Chaillé, Washington County’s Economic Development Manager. “ARPA funding enabled us to work alongside community partners and invest in organizations’ capacity to grow and scale their services to meet community needs. With over 982 small businesses served and nearly 2,000 workers engaged in training, the report demonstrates the power of coordinated, community-led economic development.”

Key findings in the report highlight:

• The connection between community capital and nonprofit capacity, underscoring the importance of programs grounded in community voice.
• The importance of responsive programming during times of crisis, which helps businesses maintain stability and growth while expanding employment opportunities.
• The vital role Washington County’s Small Business and Workforce Support Network played in providing consistent capacity for both organizations and technical assistance providers to strengthen referral pathways, share information and offer culturally relevant services across the county.
• How one-time ARPA investments acted as a catalyst for transformation, enabling organizations to reimagine operations, expand services and enhance their ability to meet community needs.

The County encourages partners, community members and others to explore the full report and its insights into the collaborative efforts that contributed to Washington County’s economic resilience throughout this period.