On July 20, ARC Federal Co-Chair Dr. Gayle Manchin and Executive Director Brandon McBride joined John Carey, director of Ohio Governor’s Office of Appalachia, and Julia Hinton, ARC Ohio state program manager, on a tour of Ohio’s Local Development Districts to see ARC investments in action.
With the goal of bringing the region to socioeconomic parity with the rest of the nation, the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) has focused investments into fundamental community and economic development needs, including basic infrastructure, education, job training, health care, entrepreneurship, and capital market development.
From critical infrastructure to career readiness, recovery-to-work, the creation of a vibrant downtown, and collaboration and strong community partnerships, Dr. Manchin, as well as ARC and GOA leadership saw the ways these investments are having a real impact in Appalachian Ohio.
Workforce Training & Advanced Manufacturing
Washington State Community College (WSCC)’s Robotics and Advanced Manufacturing Technology Education Collaborative (RAMTEC) uses ARC POWER support to train students in automation, robotics, mechatronics, welding, and more. WSCC boasts more than 10,000 alumni and prepares students for in-demand, high-paying jobs.
Career & Business Readiness
For nearly a decade, Building Bridges to Careers (BB2C) has helped students and young professionals find meaningful employment. In 2017, the BB2C Epicenter launched Washington County’s first small business incubator and makerspace, both of which offer Appalachian entrepreneurs and startups the tools they need to grow ideas. BB2C has also assisted the Governor’s Office of Appalachia in the creation of a Summer STEM camp modeled after ARC’s Oak Ridge Summer STEM Program. In 2019, BB2C held an in-person camp for all Ohio Oak Ridge applicants, and in the past two years, a virtual option was provided.
Recovery-to-Work
With support from ARC’s INSPIRE and POWER initiatives, organizations and employers are eliminating barriers to long-term recovery. In the Buckeye Hills Region, Ohio University’s Appalachian Recovery Project is using a $1.1M POWER grant to provide services, job training, and placement for women in five coal-impacted counties.
Natural & Cultural Assets
Marietta, Ohio is a great example of a flourishing downtown thanks to investments in public art, local business, outdoor recreation, historic preservation, and more since 2016. More than $32,000 has been invested across 11 public art projects – a sculpture and 10 murals – one of which features around a dozen local artists. One incredible place to visit? Peoples Bank Theatre, a historic landmark creating economic growth through artistic and educational programs.
Broadband
At the conclusion of the ARC visit to Ohio, Department of Development Director Lydia Mihalik and the Broadband Ohio office hosted a roundtable discussion with Dr. Manchin, the Governor’s Office of Appalachia, and Local Development Districts leaders to discuss broadband issues in Ohio’s 32 Appalachia counties.