Author: aulaky@crec.net

By: Heather Feldman, Executive Director, Georgia Mountains Regional Commission

Georgia Mountains Regional Commission’s (GMRC) Workforce Development; hereinafter referred to as WorkSource Georgia Mountains (WSGM), in collaboration with Hall County Salvation Army and Good News at Noon Ministries, launched a three-week program aimed at empowering persons experiencing homelessness.  This program offered comprehensive welding training to equip participants with essential skills and enhance their employment prospects. The program utilized a mobile welding lab provided by Workforce Innovators of America, stationed at the premises of Good News at Noon, to eliminate the transportation barrier. Both Good News at Noon and Hall County Salvation Army contributed classroom space and computer access, ensuring participants had a conducive learning environment. This collaboration underscores a commitment to leveraging resources and expertise across multiple community organizations.

Participants underwent training and earned certifications in high-demand fields. These included American Welding Society certifications, Forklift operation certifications, CPR certifications, and OSHA-10 safety certifications. The comprehensive skill set aims to equip participants with technical proficiency and essential workplace safety knowledge. Beyond technical training, the initiative included support for resume preparation and job interview skills through the Technical College System of Georgia’s Business Services Unit. Additionally, collaboration with the Georgia Department of Labor provides insights into the Federal Bonding Program, enhancing employment prospects for participants with backgrounds.

WSGM was instrumental in ensuring the program’s success by connecting stakeholders, providing essential resources and support to participants (such as covering tuition, offering supportive services, mentoring, and case management), and overseeing the effective implementation of the project.

Three weeks after the class, 6 out of 8 participants completed their training program. Two out of these 6 participants secured employment in their respective fields, which is a great outcome. There’s been a notable increase in interest in the program among the homeless community, indicating its positive reception and potential impact. The Boys and Girls Club stepped in to support a single-parent father during the summer, which helped eliminate a barrier to teen care. This support enables the father to search for a job and remain in stable housing at the Salvation Army. These accomplishments show significant progress and impact in both training outcomes and community support.

The Building Futures program directly supports GMRC’s vision for economic development and improved quality of life by equipping students with valuable welding skills, which in turn contributes to economic vitality by increasing their employability and earning potential. Additionally, by enhancing the skills of marginalized individuals, GMRC supports a more inclusive economy, where all community members can contribute meaningfully. The initiative facilitated collaboration among different stakeholders, including local governments, community organizations, and educational institutions. By working together to provide training and job opportunities, GMRC promoted cooperation and open communication, which are essential for realizing its vision of a region that values diverse communities and resources. Additionally, GMRC aims to improve the quality of life in the region, and this program contributes to this goal by offering individuals a way out of homelessness through meaningful employment and economic stability. It supports sustainability by tapping into human potential, thus preserving and enhancing the region’s social and economic resources for future generations.

The Building Futures program targets homeless individuals, who often face significant barriers to employment. The course offers a pathway out of homelessness and toward economic stability through training and gaining sustainable employment. This not only enhances their quality of life but also contributes to the overall well-being of the region. The program’s collaborative nature fosters a sense of community and collective effort, which are essential for its success and the broader goal of economic development and quality of life improvement.

By providing training and pathways to employment for this group, the program expands the labor pool, making it more inclusive. This inclusivity is crucial for sustaining a competitive advantage, as it ensures a broader range of talents and perspectives in the workforce. Aligned with GMRC’s vision of valuing diverse communities and resources, the program promotes cooperation, open communication, and a shared commitment to economic and social enhancement.

Heather J. Feldman

Executive Director

hfeldman@gmrc.ga.gov

Whitney Blair

Workforce Development Director and Project Lead

wblair@gmrc.ga.gov

By: Richard Zink, Executive Director, Southern Tier West Regional Planning and Development Board

The Southern Tier West Regional Planning and Development Board’s annual local government training conference at Houghton University continues to be a cornerstone event for local government officials in the region. The target audience for this day long training includes Municipal Clerks, Mayors, Supervisors, Planning & Zoning Board Members, Code Enforcement Officers, Justices, and Court Clerks. This year’s event hosted 270 local government officials, 30 exhibitors, and 42 speakers highlighting the event’s significance and impact. The conference offers an invaluable opportunity for professional growth, collaboration, and the exchange of ideas, all aimed at promoting effective governance and sustainable regional development.

Key Features

The conference included a variety of sessions and activities designed to address the needs and interests of local government officials:

1. Workshops and Presentations: Covering a wide range of topics, such as land use planning, economic development, environmental protection, infrastructure management, and public safety. Experts from various fields shared insights and practical solutions to local issues.
2. Panel Discussions: Panels of experts and practitioners discussed pressing issues, providing diverse perspectives and engaging in Q&A sessions with the audience.
3. Networking Opportunities: Structured and informal networking sessions allowed attendees to connect with peers, share experiences, and explore potential collaborations.
4. Exhibitor Booths: Vendors and service providers showcased products and services that can support local government operations and community development initiatives.

Benefits to Attendees

• Professional Development: Participants gained valuable knowledge and skills that they can apply in their roles, enhancing their effectiveness as local government officials.
• Access to Resources: The conference provided access to a wealth of resources, including educational materials, expert contacts, and information on funding opportunities.
• Community Building: By bringing together a diverse group of stakeholders, the conference strengthened the regional community, fostering a sense of shared purpose and mutual support.

By: Kathy Zook, Appalachian Regional Commission Program Manager, Eastgate Regional Council of Governments

Eastgate Regional Council of Governments (Eastgate) is pleased to share the news that after the past year of working with our communities and Procured Planners during the planning process of the Appalachian Community Grant Program (ACGP), award notices were recently announced by the DeWine Administration for successful projects. During the course of the year, the district has come together tirelessly to collaborate and strengthen our partnerships as a region with the private sector, elected officials, non-profit sector, local communities, Regional Chamber and Eastgate to identify projects of importance as submitted in our ACGP development grant on December 8, 2023. As the lead applicant for our successful ACGP grant, Eastgate appreciates the $19,628,618 awarded by the Ohio Department of Development and Governor’s Office of Appalachia (GOA) for the 10 projects in our three-county district through the Appalachian Waterfront Development Initiative. These 10 projects will provide sustainable, regional, transformative change for future economic and community development within our Appalachian region. The successful projects are listed below:

Appalachian Waterfront Development Initiative:

MAH

• • $936,960 – Lowellville Riverfront Park,Lowellville
  • $3,891,475 – Spring Commons Park, Youngstown
  • $1,188,264 – Struthers Community River Launch, Struthers

$6,016,699 Total MAH

TRU

• • $3,500,288 – Trumbull Downtown Riverfront Revitalization,Niles
  • $372,746 – Western Reserve Greenway Trail Renovations,Bristol Township
  • $4,338,581 – Mahoning Avenue Corridor Revitalization Plan,Warren

$8,221,615 Total TRU

ATB

• • $860,000 – Shoreline Restoration at Township Park, Geneva-on-the-Lake
  • $1,642,695 – Downtown Revitalization, City of Ashtabula
  • $2,621,152 – Downtown Geneva Revitalization, Geneva
  • $276,187 – Twin Bridges Kayak Launch and water Trail, Conneaut

$5,400,304 Total ATB

Total MAH                                                                                  $6,016,699

Total TRU                                                                                    $8,221,615

Total ATB                                                                                    $5,400,304

                        Eastgate ACGP Development Grant Total            $19,628,618

Eastgate also celebrated its 2024 Annual Meeting in May. The meeting celebrated Eastgate’s accomplishments in the past year, including the successful funding of all nine Mahoning River dams, awarded ACGP funding, and more. Read more about the annual meeting here.

By: Chelsea Robertson, Executive Director, Southern Tier Regional Central Regional Planning & Development Board

Two small rural LDD’s located in Northern Appalachia were successful in obtaining a $4.5 million grant from ARC’s ARISE program to provide new and innovative workforce initiatives as a two state partnership. The Twin Tiers ARISE program (TTAP) consist of a total of 8 counties that fall on the southern tier of New York and northern tier of Pennsylvania. Southern Tier Central Regional Planning & Development Board (STC) and Northern Tier Regional Planning and Development Commission (NT) began working on this partnership to address regional workforce issues during COVID, but the ARISE money provided the funding necessary to pull together the region’s additional 4 partners and to devise a workforce strategy to address the declining youth workforce participation rates and to capitalize on the region’s commutation patterns.

Commutation Map of the TTAP Region        Current Youth Workforce Participation Rates

This $4.5 million dollar grant was matched with an additional $4.5 million of in-kind service donation from a total of six strategic partners. Direct collaboration among partners will maximize the value of existing services and training provided by current partners. Coordinated action is necessary to remove training/participation barriers and strengthen the engagement between training providers and potential workforce participants. Northern Tier Regional Planning and Development Commission will lead collaborative efforts between the region’s TTAP workforce partners:  the Business Education Partnership (BEP) program in PA, GST BOCES, Career Development Council, Corning Community College and CSS Workforce NY programs in NY.  While  Southern Tier Central Regional Development Board will manage many aspects of the projects data analytics, administration, and reporting.  Organizations involved in the newly-funded Twin Tiers ARISE Program can help young people find well-paying employment.  The Twin Tiers ARISE Program will work with employers: businesses, non-profits, and governments to engage the youth workforce.

“Thanks to support from the Biden-Harris Administration, ARC’s ARISE grants are making transformational, cross-boundary impacts on our Appalachian states,” said ARC Federal Co-Chair Gayle Manchin. “The work of our newest ARISE grantees will help boost workforce opportunities across the region by providing integral job training in growing career fields, which in turn will allow Appalachia to compete economically on a national and global level.” By working together, these six organizations will be able to tap into additional training and career exploration opportunities. Over the next 5 years, this program will be able to serve thousands of young people who may not have experienced youth-workforce collaboration opportunities.  TTAP will create greater connections with the region’s employers and TTAP partners will enhance the services offered the region’s youth. By 2029, about 400 new individuals will be employed in the region who otherwise might not have joined the workforce.

By: Richard Zink, Executive Director, Southern Tier West Regional Planning and Development Board

In 2023, Southern Tier West (STW) launched the Community Geographic Information System (CGIS) program to help local municipalities manage and use geographic information effectively. They used advanced ESRI software to provide powerful mapping and data analysis tools to municipalities in the region.

The program’s core is ESRI’s ARCGIS Online, a cloud-based system that allows seamless collaboration and data sharing among municipalities. STW secured a Small Enterprise Agreement Local Government-Based license, enabling 50 municipalities to use ARCGIS Online. To make it accessible, STW resold these licenses to municipalities, reducing the financial burden.

Each ARCGIS Online license includes 50 creator accounts for making maps, 50 viewer accounts for accessing data, and 50 licenses for ARCGIS Desktop Advanced or Standard. STW also created 15 customizable surveys for efficient data collection using mobile devices.

The impact has been significant, with 36 municipalities joining in the first year and 21 actively collecting data. In the second year, 23 municipalities are still actively participating. STW provides monthly training programs and on-site field training to enhance municipalities’ skills in data collection and using ARCGIS tools.

STW’s CGIS program is a model of innovation, showing how technology can empower local governments and drive positive change in communities.

By: Chris Chiles, Executive Director, KYOVA Interstate Planning Commission

Rural counties in West Virginia have long been affected by the growing digital divide as the state has historically been one of the least broadband-connected in the country. This lack of broadband service has had a particularly crippling effect on the economy and quality of life in Southern West Virginia where income, educational attainment, and labor participation are persistently low following years of decline in the coal industry. This situation, however, is poised to dramatically change through the last-mile construction and deployment of fiber to the premises for 13,432 unserved residences, businesses, and community institutions in Logan and Mingo Counties.

Slated for completion in early 2025, this project has come to fruition through both an investment of $19.6 million from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration’s (NTIA) Broadband Infrastructure Program and the unique partnership of both private and public entities such as American Electric Power/Appalachian Power Company (AEP/APCO), the Logan and Mingo County Commissions, GigaBeam Networks, the Logan County Economic Development Authority, the Mingo County Redevelopment Authority, and Region 2 Planning and Development Council.

The project’s foundation is built upon a $60 million dollar investment by AEP/APCO that uses a portion of the strands on their planned fiber optic cable expansion to construct a highspeed broadband middle-mile and FTTP network. The last-mile fiber to the premises buildout is coinciding with AEP/APCO’s middle-mile buildout efforts. The project is currently progressing on schedule with last-mile construction having started in January 2024 for Logan County and last-mile construction for Mingo County targeted to commence later this spring.