400+ Leaders Discuss Appalachia’s Future at ARC’s Annual Conference
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“Together, we focus on Appalachia’s assets, entrepreneurs, and investments,” said ARC Federal Co-Chair Earl Gohl at the opening plenary of ARC’s 2016 annual conference.
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This week, more than 400 economic developers and community leaders from 18 states and the District of Columbia gathered in Johnson City, Tennessee, to share best practices for economic development in Appalachia at ARC’s 2016 annual conference. This year’s conference, Aspire Appalachia: Collaborations in Rural Development, was hosted by the State of Tennessee on behalf of Governor Bill Haslam, ARC’s current states' co-chair. Drawing on themes outlined in Investing in Appalachia's Future: ARC’s Five-Year Strategic Plan for Capitalizing on Appalachia's Opportunities, 2016–2020, more than 20 panelists led discussions on rural entrepreneurship, infrastructure development, workforce training, and strategies for leveraging the Region’s cultural and natural assets. The conference's closing session focused on the vision and strategies the next generation of leaders have for Appalachia’s future. “People come back to Appalachia because they want to be part of a community and be involved with social enterprise,” said conference panelist Stephen Smith, executive director of West Virginia’s Healthy Kids and Families Coalition.
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Gov. Haslam Hosts Appalachian Regional Commission Conference, WCYB, Bristol, Virginia
Means to Help Us Embrace a New Economy, Register-Herald, Beckley, West Virginia
Garrett County, Maryland: Access for Anchors in the Appalachians, MuniNetworks.org
First Community Solar Project in Virginia Coming to Rockbridge, WHSV, Harrisonburg, Virginia
Researchers Aim to Chart New Course for Alabama Coal Country, WVTM, Birmingham, Alabama
Backroad Journeys: Cornucopia Café, Edible Radio
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