White House Business Council Holds Roundtable Discussions on Job Creation and Economic Growth in Appalachia

November 2011

The White House Business Council is holding a number of roundtable discussions on the American Jobs Act in the Appalachian Region as part of a nationwide series to help Obama administration officials gather feedback and ideas on creating jobs and strengthening the economy.

The council was launched by the Obama administration to directly engage cabinet and sub-cabinet agencies with the business community on ways to grow jobs and enhance the private sector's competitiveness. It holds roundtable events across the country in which senior administration officials gather ideas and suggestions from local business and civic leaders. To date, it has held more than 300 events in the 50 states, Puerto Rico, and Washington, D.C.

As a senior administration official active on the council, ARC Federal Co-Chair Earl Gohl has participated in roundtables held throughout Appalachia. These closed listening sessions are an opportunity for the federal co-chair to discuss with Appalachian business leaders their ideas on how to rebuild the economy and create jobs; explain the administration's economic policies and programs, including the American Jobs Act; highlight the best practices of successful Appalachian businesses; and serve as an advocate for Appalachian businesses in accessing existing federal resources and programs.

Following is a list of the 2011 roundtable events in which Federal Co-Chair Gohl has participated:

July 26: Spartanburg, SC
July 28: Lewisburg, PA
August 4: Morristown, TN
August 12: Sylva, NC
August 17: Florence, AL
August 19: Cortland, NY
August 25: Holly Springs, MS
September 26: Charleston, WV
October 4: Hagerstown, MD
October 6: Asheville, NC
October 20: Martinsburg, WV
November 8: Lebanon, VA
November 15: Portsmouth, OH

For more information on the roundtable events in Appalachia, please call 202.884.7771.