Hamilton County Commissioner Mark Heirbrandt joined other local elected officials from the Midwest last week in Washington, D.C. The group met with Vice President Mike Pence and other representatives of federal agencies through the offices of the National Association of Counties (NACo).
During the Regional State Leadership Forum, there were two key goals of the trip. First, to collaborate and network with federal, state and local experts. Second, discuss infrastructure, rural development, disaster recovery, resilience and energy development to understand where the most pressing challenges are. The efforts were geared toward streamlining efficiencies.
“I was able to talk through the lengthy and complicated federal funding application process. We need to bring more federal funding to Hamilton County, that can help assist the needs that we have … specifically infrastructure,” said Heirbrandt.
Heirbrandt and the group had the opportunity to tour the White House and meet with Vice President Pence. Heirbrandt was one of the few chosen to be interviewed on the White House lawn with local media.