Chesterfield County Wins 32 NACo Achievement Awards

TL;DR: Chesterfield County received 32 achievement awards from the National Association of Counties, with its library system earning the highest individual honor for an opioid recovery resources program.

The story

Chesterfield County received 32 achievement awards from the National Association of Counties (NACo) on July 27, 2026, recognizing county government programs and initiatives across multiple departments. The Libraries Department earned a Best in Category award, the highest individual honor given by NACo, for "Read to Recovery: Expanding Access to Opioid Recovery Resources," a partnership with the Virginia Opioid Abatement Authority that distributes books and pamphlets on substance use, treatment, and recovery at libraries in high-overdose areas without requiring library cards, checkout processes, or return deadlines.

NACo's Achievement Award Program, established in 1970, recognizes innovative county government programs across 18 categories including arts and historic preservation, children and youth, criminal justice, health, information technology, libraries, parks and recreation, and economic development. Counties can submit unlimited applications, and Best in Category winners receive special recognition alongside all winning programs featured at NACo's Annual Conference.

The 32 awards recognized work across county departments. The Libraries Department earned four awards total. Community and Economic Development programs received seven awards, including workforce development and Latino Farmers Market initiatives. Information Technology won six awards for projects including a warrants application and digital accessibility initiatives. Other recognized programs included the County-Schools Art CoLab (Arts, Culture and Historic Preservation), Mini Movers and Rockwood Community Gardens (Parks and Recreation), Criminal Justice initiatives addressing gun violence prevention and human trafficking, the HARP Healing Summit (Health), and Planning Department projects including ZOMod and Subdivision Ordinance reforms. The Children and Youth category honored Watershed Educational Experiences, a joint effort with Parks and Recreation.

Key players

• Chesterfield County Libraries: Winner of the Best in Category award for Read to Recovery program
• National Association of Counties (NACo): Organization presenting the achievement awards
• Virginia Opioid Abatement Authority: Partner with Libraries on Read to Recovery program

Why it matters: The awards reflect recognition from a national organization of county governments for Chesterfield's approach to community challenges including substance abuse recovery, workforce development, public safety, and environmental stewardship. The broad range of recognized programs across departments demonstrates how county services touch resident life in education, health, recreation, and economic opportunity.

Related links

• Chesterfield County Civic Alerts announcement
• NACo Achievement Awards program
• Chesterfield County Awards and Accreditations

Read the original at Chesterfield County News →

Sources

• Chesterfield County Civic Alerts - 2026 NACo Achievement Awards
• National Association of Counties - Achievement Awards
• Chesterfield County Awards and Accreditations