ARDI Memorandum of Understanding Ceremony Held on November 12, 2010

[This news brief was amended June 27, 2012.]

A number of federal agencies have joined the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) in forming the Appalachian Regional Development Initiative (ARDI), an unprecedented partnership to energize economic development in Appalachia. Led by USDA Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan and ARC Federal Co-Chair Earl Gohl, representatives of eight federal agencies gathered in Abingdon, Virginia, on November 12, 2010, to sign a memorandum of understanding on the initiative.

The ARDI is an interagency collaboration and action plan to strengthen and diversify the Appalachian economy, improve the health and welfare of the residents of Appalachia, and protect the Region's environment. As of November 30, formal partnering agencies included ARC; the U.S. Departments of Agriculture, Commerce, Education, Health and Human Services, Housing and Urban Development, Transportation, and the Treasury; the U.S. Small Business Administration; and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. [As of June 27, 2012, the list of partnering agencies also included the U.S. Departments of Energy and the Interior; the Corporation for National and Community Service; and the National Endowment for the Arts.]

Full text of the ARDI memorandum of understanding (PDF: 641 KB)
This MOU includes participating agencies as of June 27, 2012. Additional agencies may join the MOU in the future.

Press release on the November 2010 MOU signing ceremony

Instructions for Viewing the ARDI MOU Ceremony Webcast

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View recorded webcast of the MOU signing ceremony

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