Link to ARC home page.

Transforming Appalachia: Embracing Change to Drive Progress

October 2017


 
Transforming Appalachia Summit Program Cover
Click to view the Transforming Appalachia summit program
An Appalachian Regional Commission Conference
Hosted by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

October 17–19, 2017
DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Pittsburgh–Green Tree
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
ARC's October 2017 Transforming Appalachia summit, hosted by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, featured a range of plenary discussions, best-practice examples, and technical assistance workshops on maximizing Appalachia’s economic potential. Sessions focused on key issues shaping the Region's future, including:
  • Developing a robust entrepreneurial ecosystem in Appalachia;
  • Addressing the Region’s health challenges to build a stronger workforce;
  • Strengthening businesses across the Region;
  • Capitalizing on Appalachia’s agricultural, recreational, and cultural assets; and
  • Expanding the Region’s export potential.
Learn more about the summit:

Summit Program
PDF: 230 KB

Speaker Presentations
Presentations are posted here as available. This list does not include all presentations given.

  • Developing Regional Tourism Marketing Strategies and Business Clusters
    Doug Arbogast, Rural Tourism Specialist, West Virginia University Extension Service, Morgantown, West Virginia
    PDF: 6.5 MB

    Tataboline Enos, Founder and Executive Director, Pennsylvania Wilds Center for Entrepreneurship, Warren, Pennsylvania
    PDF: 5.9 MB

    David Kahley, President and CEO, The Progress Fund, Greensburg, Pennsylvania
    PDF: 4.4 MB

  • Planning for Business Retention and Expansion
    Thomas Croft, Executive Director, Steel Valley Authority, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
    PDF: 962 KB

    Brett Wiler, Director of Research, Grants, and Business Outreach, Erie Regional Chamber and Growth Partnership, Erie, Pennsylvania
    PDF: 519 KB

  • Lunch Presentation
    Gerry Roll, Executive Director, Foundation for Appalachian Kentucky, Hazard, Kentucky
    PDF: 111 KB

  • Reclaiming Land through Crop Cultivation
    Marina Sawyer, Project Coordinator, Green Mining Model Business Program, South Charleston, West Virginia
    PDF: 5.6 MB

  • Boosting Appalachia's Entrepreneurial Ecosystem
    Enoch Elwell, Founder, CO.STARTERS, Chattanooga, Tennessee
    PDF: 320 KB

  • Educating for a Future in Manufacturing
    Donny Jones, Chief Operating Officer, Chamber of Commerce of West Alabama, and West Alabama Works Team Lead, Tuscaloosa, Alabama
    PDF: 7.6 MB      Video

  • Local Foods as a Regional Economic Driver
    Fritz Boettner, Director, Sprouting Farms, and Principal, Downstream Strategies, Alderson, West Virginia
    PDF: 4.9 MB      Video

    Kathlyn Terry, Executive Director, Appalachian Sustainable Development, Abingdon, Virginia
    PDF: 3.4 MB