Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue Elected 2010 ARC States' Co-Chair

WASHINGTON, January 19, 2010—Governor Sonny Perdue of Georgia has been elected by the governors of the 13-state Appalachian Region to serve as the 2010 states' co-chair of the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC). He succeeds 2009 states' co-chair Governor Ted Strickland of Ohio.

"The Appalachian Region has made great strides in recent years," said Perdue. "I will continue to encourage policies that will promote growth in the Region. The strength of our region will be key to creating a stronger national economy."

Perdue has made economic development and workforce readiness two of his top priorities for Georgia and the Appalachian Region.

He was congratulated by ARC Federal Co-Chair Anne B. Pope on being selected: "I am pleased to welcome Governor Perdue as the 2010 states' co-chair of the Appalachian Regional Commission," Pope stated. "With 37 of its counties within Appalachia, Georgia is one of our most important partners in fulfilling ARC's mission of promoting economic development in the Region. Governor Perdue has a proven record of supporting our development efforts, and I look forward to working closely with him in these difficult economic times to improve the lives of the people of Appalachia."