Last Thursday, the Governor’s Office in conjunction with the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC), and the North Carolina Department of Commerce held a roundtable discussion with the six Councils of Governments (COGs) that represent western North Carolina.
The ARC is a federal, state and local partnership that was created by Congress in the 1960’s to foster sustainable community and economic development in Appalachia. Its mission is to improve the economic well-being of the citizens of Appalachia, which stretches from southern New York to North Mississippi. There are 29 counties in North Carolina that are in the ARC. The COGs are multi-county planning and development agencies that assist local governments across North Carolina with a variety of services including grant preparation and administration.
The roundtable, hosted by the Western Piedmont COG in Hickory, allowed the COGs to discuss ways in which the Governor, the Department of Commerce and the ARC could be engaged to grow community and economic development opportunities that would benefit the citizens of western North Carolina to assist in achieving the ARC mission. The group acknowledged that North Carolina has faced tough times before and that we more collaboration in within the region in order to improve the quality of education, create a highly trained workforce ready to compete in the green economy, and provide healthcare that is both accessible and affordable. These joint efforts will continue to improve the community and economic development environment.
The group included: Marion Sullivan, Director of Intergovernmental Relations, Budd Berro, Director of the Piedmont Office, Juleigh Sitton, Director of the Western Office, Jim McCleskey, Director for Governor’s Washington, DC office, Joe Crocker, Assistant Secretary for Community Development, Olivia Collier, Chief of Local and Regional Affairs, Brande Roberts, CDBG & ARC Program Specialist together with representatives from the Southwestern Regional Commission, Land of Sky Council of Governments, Isothermal Planning and Development Commission, High Country Council of Governments, Western Piedmont Council of Governments, Northwestern Piedmont Council of Governments, and Chris Sgro from Senator Hagan’s office.
To learn more about the ARC program in North Carolina please visit, www.nccommerce.com/arc and to find the COG in your area visit, www.ncregions.org.
