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Author: Diana Romero
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DDAA Monthly – September 2026
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DDAA Monthly – August 2026
For all your LDD news!
DDAA Monthly
Features
Appalachian Regional Commission Broadband Programming…
Making Lots of Noise in the Quiet Zone!
Pocahontas County Quiet Zone Fiber Deployment Project is Fully Funded and Moving Forward
Pocahontas County has reached a major milestone in its long‑term effort to overcome one of the most challenging broadband barriers in Appalachia. The Quiet Zone Fiber Deployment Project—originally proposed through the ARC POWER+ program—is full funded and underway, enabling construction of a 49‑mile fiber‑to‑the‑premises (FTTP) network serving some of the most isolated communities in West Virginia. Hook ups shall begin this fall.
The final funding package includes:
- $2,500,000 from the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC)
- $300,000 from the West Virginia Department of Economic Development (WVDED)
- $202,000 ARPA from the Pocahontas County Commission
- $1,083,000 in committed match from the project’s Internet Service Provider- Citynet
The community is especially grateful to these funding partners for their contribution to their being able to leap forward into the IT world.
With a total investment of $4,085,000, the county is now positioned to deliver gigabit‑speed broadband to 1,011 households and 24 businesses stretching across most of Pocahontas County from Marlinton to Minnehaha Springs and north to Dunmore.
Share Your AI Experience at the DDAA AI Peer Meeting
As AI becomes an increasingly important tool for Local Development Districts, DDAA is creating an opportunity for members to learn directly from one another. The DDAA AI Peer Meeting, taking place December 15 in Arlington, Virginia, will bring together LDD staff to discuss how they are using AI, what’s working, and the challenges they’re navigating along the way.
To help lead the conversation, DDAA is seeking facilitators to share their experiences during afternoon sessions focused on:
- Building an AI use policy for your organization
- Training staff on AI tools
- Choosing the right AI platform for your LDD’s needs
If your organization has explored any of these areas, we encourage you to submit a short proposal describing your experience and key lessons learned.
Proposals are due September 18, 2026, and DDAA will cover up to two hotel nights plus flight or mileage reimbursement for selected facilitators.
News
Research
The Appalachian Region: A Data Overview from the 2020-2024 American Community Survey
Data Centers: Steps Communities Can Take to Avoid Stranded Assets
Starting with Story, Not Symptom: Narrative Collapse and Cultural Repair in Appalachia
Tracking the Appalachian Impacts: What’s on the Line as Federal Funding Flatlines
Events
2026 ARC SOAR Summit
Corbin, KY
October 7-9
Data Center Supply Chain: What Can We Make in Appalachia?
September 3, 2026
1:00 PM – 2:00 PM ET
DDAA AI Peer Meeting
Arlington, VA
December 15, 2026
2027 DDAA Annual Conference
March 7 – 10, 2026
Arlington, VA
Grant Opportunities
Deadline: September 8, 2026
Deadline: September 8, 2026
Deadline: September 23, 2026
Deadline: September 30th, 2026
Deadline: January 8, 2027
Deadline: January 31, 2028
Deadline: Rolling
Deadline: Rolling
Deadline: Rolling
Deadline: Rolling
Deadline: Rolling
Deadline: Rolling
FOLLOW US
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DDAA Monthly – July 2026 🌄
For all your LDD news!
DDAA Monthly
Features
Revitalizing Mill Communities One Step at a Time:
Union County Buffalo Mill Site Improvements Project
Source: Catawba Regional Council of Governments
The Buffalo Community in rural Union County, South Carolina, shares similar characteristics with other southern Appalachian communities. It was home to a textile mill in the 1900s that was the backbone of the community. The Buffalo Mill first opened its doors in 1901 and operated for almost 95 years in the manufacturing of textile goods. The Mill closed in 1995 due to the offshoring of the textile industry. For a brief time in the early 2000s, a potpourri company occupied the facility; however, by 2006, all but the two mill towers were demolished, leaving only rubble in its place.
In order to build a healthy workforce ecosystem, Union County has been proactive in revitalizing the Buffalo Community. An important part of any community is local amenities, and the Buffalo Mill Village Community Park is a valuable asset. The County believes that in order to attract a vibrant workforce to enable future economic competitiveness, it must capitalize on the area’s present assets and make them usable for current and prospective residents.
Time is Running Out!
Help Define the Conversation at the 2027 Annual Conference
DDAA is now accepting session proposals for the 2027 Annual Conference!
This year’s theme, Bridging Communities, Building Futures, highlights the partnerships, strategies, and innovations helping Appalachian communities thrive.
Whether your work focuses on workforce development, infrastructure, economic growth, tourism, leadership, or technology, your experience can inspire meaningful discussion and action.
Submit your proposal by TOMORROW, July 31st!
News
$321 Million Science Initiative Aims to Make Appalachia America’s Next Energy Innovation Hub
A New White House Policy is Complicating How Maryland Organizations Battle The Opioid Crisis
Beyond The New River Gorge: Raleigh County is Reinventing Itself Through Outdoor Recreation
Foothills Airport Grant Could Mean Jobs, Economic Growth
New McArthur Center in Vinton County Celebrates Grand Opening
Post-Helene Reforestation Comes to Southern Appalachia’s Roan Mountain
ReImagine Appalachia Midyear Roundup
Report: Appalachia, W.Va. Continue Economic Improvement
Rising Grocery Costs Drive Hunger Concerns Across Southern West Virginia
Severe Flooding Linked to Increased Deaths From Opioid Use in Rural Appalachia
SSU Receives $2 Million ARC Grant to Expand Industrial Chemistry Program
Research
Events
Community Conversations: Appalachia at the Table
Zoom Meeting
August 7, 2026
11:00 AM – 12:00 PM ET
Webinar: Strengthening Rural Economies: The Role of Health
Zoom
August 11, 2026
2:30 PM – 5:00 PM ET
Webinar: Data Centers, NDAs, and Transparency
Zoom
August 13, 2026
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM ET
2026 ARC SOAR Summit
Corbin, KY
October 7 – 9, 2026
Grant Opportunities
Deadline: August 12, 2026
Deadline: August 14, 2026
Deadline: August 14, 2026
Deadline: January 8, 2027
Deadline: Rolling
Deadline: Rolling
Deadline: Rolling
FOLLOW US
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DDAA Monthly – June 2026🌄
For all your LDD news!
DDAA Monthly
Feature
Good News: The Updated Agenda for the
DDAA Professional Development Seminar is Now Online!
The agenda features three tracks running side by side both days. You can follow one straight through or hop between them depending on what you and your organization need.
The LDD Peer Track is where you swap notes with people facing the same things you are. Sessions cover housing and infrastructure financing, disaster resilience, advanced manufacturing, practical AI use, financial sustainability, and a panel on keeping up with shifting federal policy. The folks leading them run LDDs or work hand in hand with the ones that do.
The ARC Track takes you through an ARC project start to finish, from a beginner’s intro to investment priorities all the way to the new Pathways grants system, Build America Buy America, and compliance. Bringing someone new to ARC? Or someone who could use a compliance refresher? There’s something here for both.
The HR Training Track runs both days as one connected arc on workplace wellness. It starts with burnout, works through what employees need to do their jobs well, and finishes with a capstone you can take home with you.
And on Thursday, July 30th, we’ll be closing things out with a visit to GE Aerospace’s manufacturing campus right here in Asheville, where they build parts for helicopter and fighter jet engines.
Take a look at the new agenda below. We look forward to seeing you there!
News
Event to Discuss Manufacturing in Appalachia
FEMA Changes Could Leave More Kentucky Communities at Risk
Opioid Settlement Money Aims to Battle Addiction in Rural Kentucky
Rural News Fund Seeks to Reinforce Appalachia’s Public Broadcasters, Local News Outlets
Solar-Powered Microgrids Are Ready to Support Communities in WNC
We’re Only Beginning to Understand All the Ways the Opioid Epidemic Harmed Appalachia
Research
Appalachian Teaching Project 20th Anniversary
How Appalachia is Rebuilding Civic Infrastructure One Rural Newsroom at a Time
Implications of Nonprofit Leadership Literature on an Appalachian Agency
Leadership and Creative Placemaking In Central Appalachia
USGS: lithium in Carolinas Could Replace Imports for a Century or More
Events
ReImagine Appalachia Tours Its Clean Manufacturing Plan
Huntington, WV
July 7
Recovery Friendly Workplaces: Certification and Employer Outreach
Zoom Meeting
July 23
2026 Professional Development Seminar
Asheville, NC
July 29 – 30, 2026
Community Conversations: Appalachia at the Table
Zoom Meeting
August 7
Grant Opportunities
Deadline: July 6, 2026
Deadline: July 8, 2026
Deadline: July 8, 2026
Deadline: January 8, 2027
Deadline: Rolling
Deadline: Rolling
Deadline: Rolling
FOLLOW US
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DDAA Monthly – May 2026🌄
For all your LDD news!
DDAA Monthly
Feature
Don’t Miss the 2026 DDAA Professional Development Seminar in Asheville, NC!
The Development District Association of Appalachia’s 2026 Professional Development Seminar is coming to Asheville, NC on July 29 – 30, and we want to see you there!
From hands-on leadership sessions to practical tools for fiscal officers, program staff, board members, and executive directors — there’s something valuable for everyone. Member registration is just $225, and the discounted hotel block rate of $169/night is available through July 7th.
Register today and invest in your growth in one of the most beautiful cities in Appalachia!
News
Greene County, CMU Partner on Grant Proposal for Transportation
Overdrive: Fossil Fuels in Appalachia
Report: “Deaths of despair” Decline Nationwide, But Still More Prevalent in Appalachia
Space Age Internet Rescue Aims To Light Up Ohio’s Appalachian Dead Zones
US Confirms Massive Appalachian Lithium Deposits Amid Extraction Hurdles
Research
Defunding, Dismantling, and Disarray: FEMA in 2025 Report
Energy and Water Development: FY2027 Appropriations
Evaluation of ARC’s Health Grants
Leadership and Creative Placemaking In Central Appalachia: Morehead, Kentucky
The Flawed Scientific Rationale Behind Revoking the Endangerment Finding
What A Powerful El Niño Could Mean For The US Region of Appalachia
Events
ARC Pathways Office Hours
Friday, May 29:
Thursday, June 11:
Wednesday, June 17: 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM ET
Tuesday, June 23:
Appalachia Builds: Breaking New Ground for Economic Growth
Starkville, Mississippi,
June 2 – 4, 2026
Data Centers and Construction Employment
Zoom Webinar
June 4, 2026
Nonpartisan Advocacy: How 501(c)(3)s Can Educate and Advocate During Election Season with ReImagine Appalachia
Zoom Webinar
June 16, 2026
2026 Professional Development Seminar
Asheville, NC
July 29 – 30, 2026
Grant Opportunities
Deadline: June 15, 2026
Deadline: June 30, 2026
Deadline: July 6, 2026
Deadline: January 8, 2027
Deadline: Rolling
Deadline: Rolling
Deadline: Rolling
FOLLOW US
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DDAA Monthly – April 2026 ☔
For all your LDD news!
DDAA Monthly
Features
Building Regional Flood Resilience:
A 30-Year Commitment to Stronger Communities
For decades, flooding has shaped life in New York’s Southern Tier, testing communities and inspiring bold, collaborative action. What began as a post‑disaster experiment in 1996 has grown into one of the region’s most trusted resilience programs. As we prepare for a leadership transition, the story of how this work began, and why it still matters, has never been more important.
Read the full story of a 30‑year commitment to protecting our communities.
News
$1M Grant to Fund Recovery and Job Training Facility in Cullman County
$685K in Federal Funding to Support Projects in Western Maryland
Coal’s Cost On Energy Prices, Inside Appalachia
Community Theater Receives $750K ARC Grant for Building Renovation
Could Data Centers Boost Appalachian Ohio? Experts Say It’s Complicated
House Approves Study for Low Earth Orbit Satellite Broadband in Appalachia
Researchers Study Long-Term Health Effects of Hurricane Helene Across Central Appalachia
States Respond to Data Center Growth: Leaders Take Separate Paths in the Appalachian Basin
UK Panel to Explore Future of Rural Appalachian Communities
West Virginia’s Coalfields: A Warning the Rest of Appalachia Cannot Afford to Ignore
What The Congressional Appropriations Process Means for Appalachia
Research
“Appalachia’s Katrina”: Characterizing the traumatic impact of Hurricane Helene
Appalachian Voices, 2025 Black Lung Benefits Report
ARC: County Economic Status in Appalachia, FY 2026
Make it and Grow it in Appalachia: The Emerging Hemp and Bioplastics Industries
Supporting Coal Miners with Black Lung Disease and Reducing the Scale of the Epidemic
Events
Modernizing and Growing Appalachian Manufacturing: Securing Federal Investments and Better Policy
May 5, 2026
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM ET
Appalachia Builds: Breaking New Ground for Economic Growth
June 2 – 4, 2026
Starkville, Mississippi,
2026 Professional Development Seminar
Ashvelle, NC
July 29 – 30, 2026
Grant Opportunities
Deadline: June 30, 2026
Deadline: January 8, 2027
Deadline: Rolling
Deadline: Rolling
FOLLOW US
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Building Regional Flood Resilience: A 30-Year Commitment to Stronger Communities
Flooding has long shaped the story of our region in the Southern Tier of New York—testing our infrastructure, our ecosystems, and our resolve. In the wake of the devastating floods of 1972, communities across the region faced not only the challenge of rebuilding, but also an urgent question: How can we reduce flood damage and protect future generations?
Elmira, NY after Hurricane Agnes in 1972
Bath, NY after Hurricane Debby
in 2024A Program Born from Experience
Recovery from the 1972 flood was not easy. Regional planning boards, alongside Steuben, Schuyler, and Chemung Counties, partnered with corporate leaders such as Corning Incorporated and other local entities to restore what had been lost. But from those early recovery conversations emerged a forward-thinking vision—moving beyond reaction toward prevention.
By 1996, that vision led to the creation of a dedicated Flood Recovery Specialist position at STC. This role was groundbreaking for its time. The specialist’s duties were highly technical and wide-ranging: identifying flood-prone areas, working with municipalities to plan for future flood events, serving as a liaison between federal, state, and local partners, and providing education and outreach on flood mitigation and resiliency. The position also offered hands-on assistance during flood emergencies and post-disaster recovery.
Importantly, this role was made possible through true regional collaboration. Funding was shared equally by Chemung, Schuyler, and Steuben Counties—an investment that demonstrated collective commitment to protecting people, property, and infrastructure.
Thirty Years Later: A Program That Endures
Today, nearly 30 years later, STC continues to maintain this vital position. What began as a bold experiment has grown into an essential, trusted program that communities rely on year after year.
Our long-serving Flood Recovery Specialist—the first of her kind when she began in 1996—has shaped the program into a regional asset. Under her leadership, floodplain management became more proactive, grants were secured for tools like additional stream gauges, and communities gained hands-on support to update Flood Damage Prevention laws. While we prepare to celebrate her well-earned retirement, we are also actively seeking the next Flood Recovery Specialist to carry this work forward.
The legacy of Janet Thigpen’s leadership is clear: stronger policies, better-informed communities, and a deeper regional understanding of flood risk and resilience.
Education, Outreach, and the Power of the Flood Model
Much of this program’s impact goes beyond planning documents and regulations. Education has always been central to flood resilience, and STC staff work to reach residents of all ages—from kindergarten classrooms to seasoned municipal leaders.
STC regularly participates in Environmental Field Days, Earth Day celebrations, Regional Leadership Conferences, and Planning Board and Town Board meetings across the region. At the center of many of these efforts is our Flood Model—an interactive, hands-on teaching tool that makes flood concepts tangible and memorable.
Using everyday objects like Monopoly houses, putty, sponges, and matchbox cars, participants can explore real-world flood mitigation strategies. Houses can be elevated on stilts. Sponges demonstrate how wetlands absorb water. Participants can even attempt to dam or redirect flowing water—only to learn an important lesson: eventually, water will find a way. Matchbox cars help reinforce the life-saving message, “Turn around, don’t drown,” showing how even a small amount of moving water can sweep vehicles away.
The model is fun, creative, and engaging—but its impact is serious. It provides residents with a real-life understanding of why certain mitigation strategies are recommended and how thoughtful planning can reduce damage and save lives.
Looking Ahead
As flooding continues to affect communities throughout Appalachia, the lessons learned over the past 30 years are more important than ever. STC’s Flood Recovery Program stands as an example of long-term regional collaboration, proactive planning, and the power of education.
By investing in preparedness today, we help ensure safer, more resilient communities tomorrow.
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DDAA Monthly – March 2026🔅
For all your LDD news!
DDAA Monthly
Features
Don’t Miss the 2026 DDAA Professional Development Seminar —
Agenda Updated!
July 29 – 30, 2026
Asheville, NC
The Development District Association of Appalachia’s 2026 Professional Development Seminar is coming to Asheville, NC on July 29–30, and the agenda has just been refreshed with exciting new content! We’ve added detailed Human Resources training and Appalachian Regional Commission training descriptions so you can see exactly what key skills and takeaways await you before you even arrive.
New Additions to the Agenda:
Human Resources Training — Led by Horizon Point Consulting, this six-session series guides participants through a needs-based framework for building thriving workplaces — from understanding today’s burnout crisis and meeting employees’ foundational and relational needs, to unlocking growth, applying design thinking, and completing a hands-on capstone project you can take home and implement.
ARC Training — ARC staff will lead a progressive series from project development basics and an interactive “Build-A-Project” workshop, through project management best practices, Pathways grants management system training, financial compliance, and federal requirements under 2CFR200.
From hands-on leadership sessions to practical tools for fiscal officers, program staff, board members, and executive directors — there’s something valuable for everyone. Member registration is just $225, and the discounted hotel block rate of $169/night is available through July 7th.
Register today and invest in your growth in one of the most beautiful cities in the South.
News
$73 Billion Project at Pittsylvania Megasite Would Be Largest in Southside History
Advocates Release Policy Solutions to Help Miners With Black Lung
Appalachian Highlands Economic Forum to Discuss Local Growth
ARC Awards $205K to Boost Southern Tier Manufacturing
Building Bridges to Careers highlights Regional Collaboration to Support Future Workforce
Coal’s Uncertain Future Divides Two States – and Drives Up Power Bills
Press Release: Griffith Announces $700,000 ARC Grant for Broadband Improvement in Pembroke, Virginia
Webinar: Investing in Rural America Webinar Series: Exploring Rural Trends and Why They Matter
Wise County Considers New Gas Infrastructure for Data Center Project
Research
Events
Scaling Circular Economies through Regional Strategy – A Strategy Session on Sustainable Systems
April 13, 2026
10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
ARC Pathways Office Hours
April 20: 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM ET
April 29: 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM ET
South & Appalachian Creative Placemaking Conference: BUILDING BRIDGES: Connecting Communities through Culture and Commerce
April 21 – 24, 2026
Memphis, TN
Appalachia Builds: Breaking New Ground for Economic Growth
June 2 – 4, 2026
Starkville, Mississippi,
Grant Opportunities
Deadline: April 17, 2026
Deadline: April 22, 2026
Deadline: June 30, 2026
Deadline: January 8, 2027
Deadline: Rolling
Deadline: Rolling
Deadline: Rolling
FOLLOW US
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DDAA Monthly – February 2026💡
For all your LDD news!
DDAA Monthly
Features
Strengthening Rural Infrastructure for the Future
By Owen Frey, North Central Regional Planning and Development Commission
In a small rural community like Westover Borough, water isn’t something many people think about until a problem arises.
For many years, this Clearfield County (PA) community relied on a single surface water source to serve every home and business in town. While the system worked, it left the community vulnerable. Any sort of disruption could have left the entire community without water, something no one should have to worry about.
In 2025, that vulnerability was addressed.
With support from the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) and assistance from the North Central Pennsylvania Regional Planning and Development Commission, Westover completed a nearly $500,000 project to establish a second, reliable water source. The effort included drilling two test wells and one production well, along with major upgrades to the Borough’s existing water treatment plant.
Join us for the 2026 NADO & DDAA Washington Conference
March 8 – 11, 2026
Arlington, VA
Join NADO and the Development District Association of Appalachia (DDAA) for their annual Washington conference, bringing together Local Development District professionals for sessions on regional development, the federal landscape, and the policies that matter most to LDDs and their stakeholders.
The conference kicks off with an opening reception on the evening of Sunday, March 8, with plenary and breakout sessions running Monday, March 9 through Wednesday, March 11. The event will be held at the Crystal Gateway Marriott in Arlington, VA — just two miles from Reagan National Airport.
Please Take this Short Survey: Future Peer Group Topics
DDAA is looking for members to participate in — and help lead — Peer Group meetings on topics like GIS, RLF management, Disaster Recovery, and more. Whether you’re interested in joining the conversation or facilitating, we want to hear from you! This is a great opportunity to connect with fellow professionals, share knowledge, and engage on the topics that matter most to your work.
Take this short survey to sign up and learn more!
News
Alexander Industrial Park Sewer Project Complete, Opening Door for New Economic Growth
A New Pennsylvania Law Can Strengthen the State’s Opioid Response
Bluefield’s Bold Border Plan: How a Cross-State Initiative Aims to Build a New Economic Hub
Gov. Morrisey Announces Nearly $9 Million Approved for West Virginia Water, Sewer Projects
House Committee Approves Appalachian Satellite Broadband Bill
Research
Early Analysis Of The Biden Administration’s Influence On Appalachia’s Energy Transition
Healthcare Disparities and Improving Access to Care in Rural Appalachia
Historical Beginnings: Appalachian Coal and the Coming of Industrial Capitalism
Rural Poverty & Well-Being | Economic Research Service
The Appalachian Challenge: Education, Migration, and Regional Renewal
Events
2026 NADO & DDAA Washington Conference
March 8 – 11, 2026
Arlington, VA
ReImagine Appalachia Coalition Update
March 17, 2026
Online Only
ARC’s 2026 Regional Workshops
Tuesday, March 24 – Cartersville, Georgia | 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. ET
Thursday, March 26 – Ithaca, New York | 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. ET
ARC Pathways Office Hours
March 18: 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM ET
April 20: 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM ET
April 29: 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM ET
South & Appalachian Creative Placemaking Conference: BUILDING BRIDGES: Connecting Communities through Culture and Commerce
April 21 – 24, 2026
Memphis, TN
Appalachia Builds: Breaking New Ground for Economic Growth
June 2 – 4, 2026
Starkville, Mississippi,
Grant Opportunities
Deadline: April 17, 2026
Deadline: April 22, 2026
Deadline: January 8, 2027
Deadline: Rolling
Deadline: Rolling
Deadline: Rolling
FOLLOW US
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Strengthening Rural Infrastructure for the Future
In a small rural community like Westover Borough, water isn’t something many people think about until a problem arises.
For many years, this Clearfield County (PA) community relied on a single surface water source to serve every home and business in town. While the system worked, it left the community vulnerable. Any sort of disruption could have left the entire community without water, something no one should have to worry about.
In 2025, that vulnerability was addressed.
With support from the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) and assistance from the North Central Pennsylvania Regional Planning and Development Commission, Westover completed a nearly $500,000 project to establish a second, reliable water source. The effort included drilling two test wells and one production well, along with major upgrades to the Borough’s existing water treatment plant.
Upon completion, the results were substantial. Daily water capacity increased from approximately 20,000 gallons to more than 70,000 gallons, more than tripling the available supply.
Today, 154 households and several local businesses are served by a stronger, more dependable water system. The added capacity not only improves reliability and public health, but also creates room for future residential growth and expanded tourism activity in the area.
In rural communities like Westover, infrastructure projects may not always serve massive amounts of people, but they serve everyone who calls that place home. With this project complete, Westover Borough has greater stability today and more opportunity for tomorrow, demonstrating how strategic investments can help prepare rural Appalachian communities for the future.
