#WHYPageCounty campaign recognized with 2025 NACo Achievement Award
LURAY, June 23 — The Page County Economic Development and Tourism Department was recognized last week with a 2025 Achievement Award from the National Association of Counties (NACo). The annual awards honor innovative, effective county government programs that strengthen services for residents.
For its #WHYPageCounty communications campaign, Page County received recognition in the “community and economic development” awards category. Developed and implemented in 2021, the ongoing social media campaign was designed to build civic pride, enhance local engagement and support economic development through authentic storytelling. Hosted on the official Page County Facebook page, the #WHYPageCounty campaign spotlights local people, businesses, organizations and community services through a series of short-form video stories. “I am incredibly proud of the economic development and tourism department’s creative approach in showcasing Page County,” said Page County Administrator Amity Moler. “What an honor for our county to receive national recognition.”
Each year, NACo’s Achievement Awards recognize outstanding programming in 18 categories aligned with the vast, comprehensive services counties provide. The categories include children and youth, criminal justice and public safety, libraries, management, information technology, health, civic engagement and more. Launched in 1970, the program is designed to celebrate innovation in county government. Each nominated program is judged on its own merits and not against other applications. County of Page Public Notice · June 23, 2025 page of 2 1“The Achievement Awards shine a spotlight on the hard work and innovation happening in county governments across the nation,” NACo President James Gore said in a news release issued last week by the association.
“This year’s winners highlight the dedication and creativity of county leaders and our teams to building thriving communities and providing the best possible services to our residents.” #WHYPageCounty is managed by economic development staff, who collaborate with local businesses and organizations to capture visual content and share their unique stories. The campaign is funded primarily by transient occupancy tax revenue, with matching support from marketing grants awarded by the Virginia Tourism Corp. This approach maximizes impact while minimizing additional costs to taxpayers. Videography and photography captured for the series is additionally featured on the county’s tourism website, pagevalley.org.
“I’m honored to be recognized for the work we’ve done in Page County on a national level,” said Director of Page County Economic Development and Tourism Nina Fox. “The true honor is getting to live, work and serve in my hometown. I’m so proud of Page County — promoting something you genuinely believe in comes naturally.”
For more information about NACo’s Achievement Awards, visit www.naco.org.
About NACo The National Association of Counties (NACo) strengthens America’s counties, including nearly 40,000 county-elected officials and 3.6 million county employees. Founded in 1935, NACo unites county officials to advocate for county government priorities in federal policymaking; promote exemplary county policies and practices; nurture leadership skills and expand knowledge networks; optimize county and taxpayer resources and cost savings; and enrich the public’s understanding of county government.