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2015 Press Releases

 December 2015
Appalachian Regional Commission Hosts 120 Appalachian Youth Leaders in Washington to Discuss Regional Economic Development
On December 4–5, 2015, students and faculty representing 15 Appalachian colleges and universities will participate in the 15th annual Appalachian Teaching Project (ATP) conference, hosted by ARC. ATP helps build youth leadership by giving students the opportunity to develop applied research projects on emerging development issues in Appalachia and present their work to peers and leaders at an annual symposium.
 October 2015
Appalachian Regional Commission Invests in Obama Administration Economic Initiative in Coal-Impacted Communities
On October 15, 2015, ARC Federal Co-Chair Earl Gohl was joined by state and federal officials in announcing POWER awards made to six projects in the Region that aim to help diversify economies in areas impacted by changes in the coal industry and power sector.
 October 2015
Team Announced to Lead Innovative Community Health Research Project in Appalachia
PDA, Inc., of Raleigh, North Carolina, will be the lead investigator for "Creating a Culture of Health in Appalachia: Disparities and Bright Spots," a regional public health research project exploring health outcomes in Appalachian communities. The project is sponsored by ARC, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, and the Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky.
 October 2015
ARC Announces $300,000 Investment to Provide Equipment and Support for North Carolina’s Textile Industry
On October 2, ARC announced $300,000 in grants to purchase state-of-the-art equipment and provide support for the Manufacturing Solutions Center, a division of Catawba Valley Community College in Burke County; Industrial Commons; and the Carolina Textile District, a Morganton-based multi-state network of small and medium-sized textile and apparel manufacturers. The investment will help strengthen North Carolina textile manufacturers’ global competitiveness.
 June 2015
Obama Administration Announces 2015 Local Foods, Local Places Assistance
Announced June 30, the second round of the Local Foods, Local Places program will provide direct technical support to help communities build strong local food systems to spur economic growth. Applications must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on September 15.
 June 2015
ARC Announces Successful First-Round Investment Closing of Appalachian Community Capital
At the Clinton Global Initiative's June 2015 CGI America meeting, ARC Federal Co-Chair Earl Gohl announced the successful first-round investment closing of Appalachian Community Capital, a new central bank for development lenders that will increase the availability of capital to Appalachia's small businesses. More than $15 million in new investment capital has been committed. When fully funded, ACC is expected to leverage $233 million in private bank capital and help create 2,200 jobs.
 May 2015
Administration Announces Implementation Funding for POWER Initiative; ARC to Provide $500,000 in Grants
ARC will join EDA, ETA, and the SBA in offering a total of up to $35.5 million in implementation funding through the administration's POWER Initiative to assist communities affected by changes in the coal industry and power sector. ARC grants of up to $75,000 each will help communities undertake coordinated economic and workforce development activities developed through a region-wide planning process. Applications for ARC funding are due July 10, 2015.
 April 2015
ARC Federal Co-Chair Earl Gohl Honored with Visionary Impact Award
Gohl was recognized by U.S. Congressman Hal Rogers April 7 at the 2015 National Rx Drug Abuse Summit in Atlanta for his leadership in the effort to combat prescription substance abuse.
 March 2015
U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand of New York is Honored by Development District Association of Appalachia
Gillibrand received a 2015 Congressional Award from the DDAA for her service to the people of Appalachia and her support for economic development efforts in the Region.
 March 2015
Ohio Congressman Bill Johnson Receives Award from Development District Association of Appalachia
Johnson, who represents Ohio's Sixth Congressional District, was recognized by the DDAA with its 2015 Congressional Award for his ongoing support for economic development efforts in the Region.
 March 2015
Maryland Regional Development Advocate and Historian Al Feldstein Receives 2015 DDAA John D. Whisman Vision Award
The Development District Association of Appalachia recognized Feldstein for his long career as a champion for regional planning and development, during which he served as a teacher, government official, author, and historian.
 March 2015
Louisville Mayor Will Hill Receives DDAA's 2015 Donald R. Myers Humanitarian Award
Hill was recognized by the Development District Association of Appalachia at its 2015 annual conference for his efforts contributing to the growth and development of Louisville and of Winston County, Mississippi.
 February 2015
ARC Report Cites Economic Progress and Challenges in Appalachian Region Since 1965
A February 2015 ARC research study shows that substantial economic progress has been made in Appalachia since the Commission's inception in 1965 but that significant challenges remain.
 February 2015
ARC Joins Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky on Innovative “Bright Spots” Health Research Project
The innovative $1 million project will identify successful approaches to improving health outcomes in Appalachian communities to determine best practices that can help reduce the Region's persistent health disparities.
 February 2015
Obama Administration Requests $95 Million for ARC for FY 2016
The administration's proposed fiscal year 2016 funding for ARC includes $25 million to implement the multi-agency POWER+ Plan to help communities adversely affected by the decline in coal-related jobs diversify their economies and create new employment opportunities.
 January 2015
Kentucky Governor Steven Beshear is Selected to Serve as 2015 ARC States' Co-Chair
Previously the ARC states' co-chair in 2011, Beshear was chosen by his fellow Appalachian governors to serve again in 2015.
 January 2015
New Obama Administration Proposal to Strengthen Community Colleges in the Nation and the Appalachian Region
The "America's College Promise" proposal announced by President Obama on January 9, 2015, would strengthen the role of community colleges in promoting workforce development and economic growth in the nation and the Region. The proposal aims to provide affordable opportunities to help Americans gain the knowledge and skills needed to meet the demands of the growing global economy.