Author: Leif Olson

  • DDAA Hosts Annual Business Meeting

    Gayle Manchin DDAA Breakfast

    The Development District Association of Appalachia (DDAA) kicked off the day with its Breakfast and Annual Business Meeting at the Crystal Gateway Marriott in Arlington, bringing together over 150 members and partners from across the Appalachian region. The session opened with remarks from DDAA President Dennis Stripling, who welcomed attendees and previewed a program featuring updates from key partners at the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC), along with important association business including financial reports, program updates, and the introduction of DDAA’s new 2026–2030 Strategic Plan.

    Participants heard directly from several ARC leaders about federal and state initiatives impacting Appalachian communities. ARC Federal Co-Chair Gayle Manchin provided an overview of ARC’s current priorities and the agency’s continued collaboration with governors, local development districts, and regional partners to strengthen economic growth and community capacity across Appalachia. Congressional Liaison Olivia Leonard followed with an update on ARC-related legislation, while ARC States’ Washington Representative Jim Hyland shared insights on federal policy developments and state-level program activities affecting the region.

    The meeting also highlighted DDAA’s accomplishments over the past year and the association’s plans for the future. Reports from Treasurer Steve Pelissier and Training Committee Chair Michelle Jordan provided updates on DDAA’s finances and professional development programs, including upcoming training opportunities and peer learning initiatives. Immediate Past President Chris Chiles then presented the outcomes of the new 2026–2030 Strategic Plan and led the election of the 2026–2027 DDAA Board of Directors. The morning concluded with a look ahead to the day’s programming, as attendees prepared to continue the conference with the opening plenary session on federal initiatives, funding, and strategic priorities shaping the future of the Appalachian region.

  • DDAA Members Gather in Arlington to Celebrate Leadership Across Appalachia

    Leaders from across the Appalachian region gathered on March 8 at the Crystal Gateway Marriott in Arlington, Virginia for the 2026 Development District Association of Appalachia (DDAA) Dinner Banquet—an evening of connection, reflection, and recognition that officially launched this year’s Annual Conference. The banquet brought together professionals from local development districts, federal and state partners, and regional organizations committed to strengthening communities throughout Appalachia.

    DDAA President Dennis Stripling welcomed attendees and reflected on the importance of the relationships that sustain the region’s progress. Framing the conference theme—“Navigating Change, Cultivating Strength”—Stripling emphasized that while Appalachia faces evolving economic, policy, and workforce challenges, the region’s resilience lies in its collaborative spirit and long-term commitment to opportunity. The evening also included remarks from Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) Executive Director Brandon McBride, who shared updates from ARC leadership and reaffirmed the Commission’s partnership with local development districts across the region.

    A highlight of the evening was the presentation of several awards recognizing individuals whose leadership and dedication have strengthened Appalachian communities.

    The Don Myers Humanitarian Award was presented to Elaine Jardine, Director of Planning for Tioga County, New York. Over a 30-year career, Jardine has played a pivotal role in advancing planning and economic development efforts in a rural region without the presence of a major hospital or university. Her decades of service on the local development district board and her mentorship of staff and partners have left a lasting impact on the region.

    The Outstanding Women in Appalachia Award honored Karen Fabiano, recognizing a remarkable 40-year career in public service. During 32 years with the Ohio Department of Development, Fabiano oversaw more than $7 billion in development funding and led a team of 165 professionals working to strengthen communities across the state. Later, through her work with the Appalachian Regional Commission, she became a trusted advisor to local development districts, guiding leaders through complex policies and advancing economic opportunities across Appalachia.

    The John Whisman “Vision” Award was presented to Keith Jones for his commitment to economic and community development in Northwest Alabama. Jones’ career has focused on expanding opportunities for rural and underserved communities by strengthening infrastructure, improving workforce training, and promoting regional cooperation among federal, state, and local partners.

    The evening also recognized Senators Thom Tillis of North Carolina and Tim Kaine of Virginia with DDAA Congressional Awards for their leadership and commitment to Appalachian communities—particularly their efforts to support disaster recovery and resilience following Hurricane Helene. While the Senators were unable to attend in person, Senator Kaine shared remarks via video, and representatives accepted the awards on their behalf.

    As the evening concluded, attendees were encouraged to continue building connections and sharing ideas throughout the conference. The banquet served as a powerful reminder that while Appalachia continues to navigate economic and policy changes, the region’s greatest strength remains its people—dedicated professionals and community leaders working together to build a more prosperous future for Appalachia.

  • Forest City Electrical Lines

    By Sophie Schaefer, LEAD for NC Fellow

    Foothills Regional Commission

     

    Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) has awarded funding to the Town of Forest City to expand Electrical Tie Lines. This project is distinctive in nature as it marks the first time ARC has funded an electrical infrastructure project since September of 2021.

    This project will have an enormous and lasting impact on the town’s infrastructure and long-term resiliency. The Town of Forest City currently owns and operates an electrical power distribution system providing electrical services for approximately 4,272 electric meters, of which: 17 are industrial customers, 941 are commercial customers, and 3,314 are residential customers. A wide variety of establishments are served by the Town of Forest City, including churches, families, grocery stores, industrial plants, gas stations, restaurants, and more. These residents and businesses rely on the town for their electrical services, making it essential for both economic prosperity and day-to-day living.

    The need for this project was brought to the foreground in the wake of Hurricane Helene, which caused large scale damage to the community. While the storm affected every aspect of daily life, infrastructure bore the brunt of the impact. Millions of North Carolinians went without power for an extended period of time. On a local level, after the storm, only two of the Town’s ten circuits were operational. The disaster highlighted existing vulnerabilities in the electrical system, spotlighting the urgency of completing long-recommended improvements to ensure resiliency.

    In 2023, the Town hired a consulting team with the task of conducting a comprehensive system evaluation and planning analysis. The report provided an overview of capital improvement projects intended to eliminate deficiencies and ensure redundancy, creating reliable power service for all users.

    Three tie line projects were recommended in particular, each serving the purpose of supporting actual and planned commercial, industrial, and residential growth. The proposed tie lines would limit disruption to service in the wake of storms or other damage. The total cost for the Tie Line Expansion project is estimated to be $887,000.

    Once completed, the project will bolster the town’s ability to withstand storms and power disruptions, as well as enhance overall community resilience and economic vitality. The investment also puts the town in a strong position to support future growth, as tie-line upgrades will ensure that services remain operational during disasters and can accommodate increasing demand. When selecting a place to operate, new businesses will consider town infrastructure as an important factor. In this way, the project will attract new residents and businesses.

    This ARC POWER project is a prime example of how strong regional partnerships can build resilient communities through investment in critical infrastructure.

  • Connecting Rural Polk and Rutherford Counties within the Foothills Regional Commission Footprint

    In North Carolina, units of local government cannot own and operate their own broadband network. This has led to slower adoption rates and a variety of other issues such as higher prices and gaps in digital literacy, especially in Western North Carolina, where the population density and challenging terrain impairs internet service providers from investing in the infrastructure to connect homes and businesses.

    To meet this need in Polk and Rutherford Counties, two of the four counties that Foothills Regional Commission serves, Pangaea internet was formed and began operating as a full non-profit internet service provider. Since 2007, when Pangaea opened, they have run 343 miles of network and serve over 375 customers at more than 400 locations.

    Pangaea was awarded funding from ARC totaling $600,000 for the construction of additional fiber and other key infrastructure upgrades. This funding will provide an additional 8 miles of fiber and serve an additional 800 homes and 110 businesses. This project has potential to triple their customers and expand their mission of ensuring residents have access to broadband that is effective, consistent, and affordable.

    For more information about Pangaea: https://pangaea.us/