The National Organization of Black County Officials (NOBCO) is a 501(c) corporation, established in 1982, representing a coalition of black elected and appointed officials within county government for all 50 states. The NOBCO corporation has its roots in the National Association of Black County Officials (NABCO) which was founded in 1975 as a membership association to bring focus on the nation's African American communities, our issues and their resolution by providing direct assistance to black county officials. NOBCO provides services as an information clearinghouse for organizational concerns and provides a program and project structure to educate, train and assist government officials and community members. NOBCO provides education and training to black county officials, others in government, representatives from community based organizations and agencies and concerned citizens. Current program areas of focus include, but are not limited to, economic and community development and environmental justice issues. NOBCO serves black elected and appointed county officials in 50 states. Black county officials share responsibility for the promotion and maintenance of our Nation's public and private forests. As local decision-makers, the policies that black county officials enact can either support or detract from a community's attempts to create a sustainable economy and sustainable environment. NOBCO provides contract services, conferences, publications, educational workshops and technical assistance through grants and contracts with many government agencies such as US Department of Housing (HUD), Department of Commerce/Economic Development, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The organization has provided leadership and management training to various countries including Bosnia, South Africa and Mexico.