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Ohio’s 32 Appalachian counties are well-known for their beautiful scenery, rich culture, and timeless traditions; they also boast a welcoming business climate, skilled workers with a strong work ethic, and an affordable cost of living.

As an advocate for Ohio’s 32 Appalachian counties, the Governor’s Office of Appalachia works on behalf of the Appalachian Regional Commission in Washington, D.C. to promote the region’s assets and to support local, regional, state, and federal initiatives. These initiatives contribute to the economic, educational, and community prosperity of the people of Ohio’s Appalachian region.

The Governor’s Office of Appalachia sets the direction of Appalachian Regional Commission funding within Ohio in conjunction with three local development districts. The Office assists Ohio’s Appalachian communities with important infrastructure, health care, worker training, and education projects to improve living conditions and spur economic development. Since it began, the Office has coordinated dozens of grants to local and regional communities, including a $250,000 grant for Marietta Memorial Hospital to purchase new radiation therapy equipment. Grassroots proposals originating from within the region drive partnerships between the Governor’s Office of Appalachia and communities that promote economic progress while maintaining the traditions and values that make Appalachia unique.

The traditional assets that have been the foundation of the Appalachian region’s economy for centuries are supporting new and emerging opportunities for the region today. Committed to advancing alternative energy in the state, the Governor’s Office of Appalachia coordinated an award of $600,000 to Coshocton Ethanol to establish an ethanol production facility that could be utilized by local farmers who consume 18.7 million bushels of corn per year. New initiatives such as Enterprise Appalachia help stimulate economic activity in our Appalachian region by initiating a small business attraction and creation campaign built on the success of entrepreneurship in the region.

With its abundant resources, the region is poised to play a vital role in making Ohio a leader in developing next generation energy resources. Increased access to broadband, a fundamental building block of Ohio’s economy, is increasing the region’s competitiveness and advancing the skills of its workforce. Building upon the region’s time-tested strengths while embracing new opportunities, the Governor’s Office of Appalachia is an important convener and collaborative partner with the communities and people of Appalachian Ohio.