The National Special Districts Coalition (NSDC), a coalition of statewide associations representing local governments throughout the country known as special districts, is excited to announce the engagement of The Ferguson Group (TFG) and Paragon Government Relations (Paragon) as NSDC’s federal advocates in Washington DC.
The founding members of the NSDC, including the state associations of California, Colorado, Florida, Oregon, and Utah formed the coalition to serve as a platform to share best practices and a communications forum for special districts nationwide. One of NSDC’s primary goals in this regard is to increase the overall awareness and representation of special districts, which provide water, wastewater, fire protection, parks, mosquito abatement, resource conservation, ports and harbors, libraries, and other services to millions of Americans. The coalition has now prioritized taking their message to Washington D.C.
NSDC’s decision to partner with two of Washington D.C.’s top local government advocacy firms will enable the coalition to develop a strategic advocacy plan to engage Members of Congress, the Administration, and other key stakeholders on the issues that impact special districts the most. The efforts of the NSDC will shine light on the critical services that special districts provide to communities across our great nation.
“This partnership with fellow special districts associations across the nation and contract with two outstanding D.C. advocacy firms will strengthen the voice of our more than 1,000 members and further our partnership with the federal government in serving our communities. We are excited for what is in store for special districts across California and the country.” - Neil McCormick, Chief Executive Officer of the California Special Districts Association
“We are excited to be working with two great advocacy firms to help advance the needs of special districts in Washington DC. The 1,750 special districts in Florida will no doubt benefit from our work with the National Special Districts Coalition and our partnership with TFG and Paragon.” - Fred Crawford, Executive Director of the Florida Association of Special Districts
“The Colorado Special District Association is proud to be a founding member of the National Special District Coalition (NSDC). The efforts of the national coalition will educate members of Congress on the importance of special districts to communities across the nation. As the form of local government closest to citizens, special districts provide essential services that range from fire protection, water, park and recreation, library, and more. NSDC brings together the voices of the states with the greatest number of special districts in the United States. For the first time, these voices will be united as one to carry the message of special districts to the leaders at the U.S. Congress.” - Ann Terry, Executive Director of the Colorado Special District Association
“The Special Districts Association of Oregon (SDAO) is pleased to announce that our nearly 1,000 special district members will now have federal legislative representation through our partnership with the National Special Districts Coalition (NSDC). The NSDC has contracted with TFG and Paragon, two of the most experienced and well respected government relations firms, to make the concerns of special districts heard in Washington DC. We are very excited about giving a voice to special districts, where we have not had one before!” - Frank Stratton, Executive Director of the Special Districts Association of Oregon
“The Utah Association of Special Districts is proud to be a member of the National Special Districts Coalition and is pleased to be working with TFG and Paragon to advance the needs and goals of special districts at the federal level. We look forwarding to working with them to continue our advocacy in Washington DC on behalf of not only Utah’s special districts, but those of the entire nation.” - LeGrand Bitter, Executive Director of the Utah Association of Special Districts
Special districts are created by communities to address specific local needs in the most efficient and effective manner. Approximately 30,000 special districts provide essential services to millions of citizens across the United States and strive to provide the communities they serve with local accountability, infrastructure, sustainability, and fiscal responsibility. Learn more about special districts by visiting the NSDC’s website at http://www.nationalspecialdistricts.org or by downloading “What Are Special Districts?”.
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