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2014 Press Releases

 December 2014
Eight Appalachian Communities are Winners of National “Local Foods, Local Places” Grant Competition
ARC Federal Co-Chair Earl Gohl joined USDA and EPA officials December 3 in announcing the eight winning Appalachian communities, which will receive technical assistance and implementation support to help them integrate local food systems into their economic development action plans.
 October 2014
Appalachian Governors Name New ARC States’ Washington Representatives
In October 2014, the governors of the 13 Appalachian states named Jim McCleskey and James Hyland as their new Washington-based representatives to the Commission. The two representatives will work with congressional principals and staff to represent the states' economic development goals and provide counsel on policy matters related to the Appalachian Region and to ARC.
 July 2014
Scott T. Hamilton, President and CEO of AdvantageWest, Named Executive Director of Appalachian Regional Commission
Scott T. Hamilton was named executive director of the Appalachian Regional Commission in July 2014. Hamilton has been with the AdvantageWest Economic Development Group for nearly a decade, serving as its president and CEO since 2009.
 July 2014
ARC Launches "Bon Appétit Appalachia!" Tourism Mapguide
Published in the summer 2014 issue of Food Traveler Magazine, the "Bon Appétit Appalachia!" local-food mapguide showcases 283 of the Region's most distinctive food destinations. The mapguide is also available as an interactive feature at www.visitappalachia.com.
 June 2014
Delegation Promotes Eastern Kentucky’s Development at 2014 Clinton Global Initiative Conference
A delegation of leaders in Kentucky state government, business, education, and philanthropy participated in the Clinton Global Initiative's CGI America 2014 meeting to build on the SOAR initiative's work in addressing eastern Kentucky's development challenges.
 May 2014
Northwest Georgia Region and Tennessee Valley Recognized as Promising Manufacturing Communities in National IMCP Competition
The two Appalachian communities are among the 12 nationwide that were designated as "Manufacturing Communities" through the Investing in Manufacturing Communities Partnership initiative. The U.S. Department of Commerce–led initiative aims to accelerate the resurgence of manufacturing in American communities.
 May 2014
Remembering Minnesota Congressman Jim Oberstar
A longtime supporter of ARC and its economic development programs in Appalachia, Oberstar served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1975 to 2011.
 April 2014
ARC, EPA, and USDA Announce Winners of 2014 Livable Communities Competition
Five communities in Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, and West Virginia were selected to receive a total of up to $375,000 in technical assistance and implementation support through the 2014 Appalachian Livable Communities program, a partnership between ARC, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The program focuses on developing local food systems as a means of revitalizing traditional downtowns and promoting economic diversification.
 March 2014
Scott M. Niswonger Receives 2014 Donald R. Myers Humanitarian Award
Business executive and philanthropist Scott Niswonger was recognized by the Development District Association of Appalachia for his leadership in education and community and economic development in Appalachian Tennessee.
 March 2014
Ed Silvetti Receives DDAA's 2014 John D. Whisman Vision Award
The Development District Association of Appalachia recognized Silvetti for his two decades of work championing regional planning and development in Appalachian Pennsylvania.
 March 2014
West Virginia Senator Jay Rockefeller Honored by the Development District Association of Appalachia with “Lifetime of Service” Award
The DDAA presented its first Lifetime of Service Award to Rockefeller on March 25, 2014, for his service to the people of West Virginia and his long-standing support for economic and community development efforts in Appalachia.
 March 2014
U.S. Congressman Hal Rogers of Kentucky Honored by Development District Association of Appalachia
Rogers received the DDAA's 2014 Congressional Award for his service to the people of Appalachia and his ongoing support for economic development efforts in the Region.
 March 2014
ARC Supports Launch of Southeastern Kentucky “Promise Zone” Announced by Obama Administration
ARC has awarded a $250,000 grant to the Kentucky Highlands Investment Corporation to begin implementing its "Promise Zone" economic revitalization project in eight southeastern Kentucky counties.
 February 2014
ARC Executive Director Thomas Hunter Retires after 20 Years of Distinguished Service
Hunter, who was appointed ARC's executive director in July 1994, was honored by the 13 Appalachian governors for his service to the Commission and to the Appalachian Region at ARC's annual governors' quorum meeting in Washington on February 23, 2014.
 February 2014
Alabama Governor Robert Bentley Selected to Serve as ARC's 2014 States' Co-Chair
Previously the ARC states' co-chair in 2012, Bentley was chosen by his fellow Appalachian governors to serve again in 2014.