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Category: DDAA Monthly
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DDAA Monthly – March 2026🔅
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DDAA Monthly – January 2026❄️
For all your LDD news!
<!–<!–DDAA Monthly
<!–Features
<!–<!–Interdisciplinary Collaboration Drives a Regional Forest Economy Strategy
Land of Sky Regional Council, North Carolina
<!–<!–Across Appalachia, the future of the forest economy depends on collaboration that crosses state lines, sectors, and disciplines. Over the past three years following the closure of the Pactiv-Evergreen paper mill in Canton, NC Land of Sky Regional Council and Southwestern Commission have been convening a growing interdisciplinary and multi-state Forest Sector Stakeholders group monthly to do just that—bring together economic developers, foresters, industry leaders, researchers, workforce organizations, and state and regional partners from North Carolina, Tennessee, and South Carolina.
This group has been funded to grow and expand through Appalachian Regional Commission’s ARISE Planning grant. This stakeholder group has served as a consistent forum for shared learning, problem-solving, and strategy development. Monthly meetings have focused on understanding regional supply-chain challenges, identifying emerging market opportunities, and aligning workforce, research, addressing Helene Recovery, and economic development assets across the Southern Appalachian forest basin. The group reflects the full forest value chain from landowners and first processors to advanced manufacturers, community colleges, universities, and public agencies ensuring that solutions are grounded in real-world conditions and regional capacity to encourage a circular economy that benefits the entire spectrum across the three-state region.
This sustained collaboration has been complemented by technical and economic analysis led by RTI International and North Carolina State University’s SOFAC. Together with stakeholder input, these partners conduct supply-chain and market analyses, conducting industry interviews, and regional assessments that helped clarify both the challenges facing the sector and the opportunities for transformation.
<!–<!–<!–<!–<!–<!–Join us for the 2026 Professional Development Seminar
<!–<!–<!–<!–The Development District Association of Appalachia (DDAA) invites you to recharge, refocus, and reimagine your impact at the 2026 Professional Development Seminar in beautiful Asheville, NC. Whether you’re looking to sharpen your leadership skills, elevate team performance, or simply grow in your role, this seminar offers hands-on sessions, peer networking, and practical tools tailored to every level, from executive directors and board members to program staff and fiscal officers.
<!–<!–<!–<!–News
<!–<!–Research
<!–<!–Events
<!–<!–2026 NADO & DDAA Washington Conference
March 8 – 11, 2026
Arlington, VA
<!–<!–<!–<!–ARC Pathways Office Hours
March 3: 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM ET
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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DDAA Monthly – December 2025❄️
For all your LDD news!
<!–<!–DDAA Monthly
<!–Feature
<!–<!–Foothills Regional CommissionGeorgia’s Appalachian Regional Port
A Partnership for Prosperity
<!–<!–<!–<!–Recently, the Georgia Ports Authority announced that the Appalachian Regional Port (ARP) in rural Murray County (GA) set a record in November 2025 with seven trains per week carrying nearly 4,000 containers—a 35% increase from November 2024.
<!–<!–The rail line serving the ARP connects the Port of Savannah, Georgia, the fastest-growing port on the East Coast and the nation’s fourth-busiest seaport, to Northwest Georgia, Northeast Alabama, and the Greater Chattanooga/Southeastern Tennessee area. Interstate 75 is the main artery connecting Atlanta to Chattanooga, 118 miles to the north.
<!–<!–The Appalachian Regional Commission has been a partner in creating and growing this major economic engine throughout the process, providing funding and initial credibility to the proposal.
<!–<!–In 2015, the Appalachian Regional Commission invested $300,000, and Murray County contributed $400,000 to purchase the 46-acre site. CSX Railroad contributed $7.8 million in private investment.
<!–<!–In 2016, ARC contributed $120,000 with a local match of $30,000 to prepare the Murray County Site Development Master Plan. The purpose of the grant was to “prepare an infrastructure master plan, including broadband and telecommunications, for future development around the Appalachian Regional Inland Port located in Murray County.”
<!–<!–<!–<!–News
<!–<!–Appalachian Trail Conservancy Announces Grant Awards for Conservation
ARC Awards MCCF with Two Grants
ARC Awards Over $12.6 Million to 80 Projects Designed to Strengthen Local Economies
Coalition on Flood Policy Pushes for Proactive Funding for Ohio, Other Appalachian States
‘Deeply Demoralizing’: How Trump Derailed Coal Country’s Clean-Energy Revival
Four Kentucky Projects Receive Appalachian Regional Commission Grants
<!–<!–Future of Appalachian Hydrogen Hub in Doubt as Trump Administration Considers Funding Cut
Low-Income Energy Assistance Program Weathers a Bumpy Year
MS Governor Highlights More Than $100 million for Economic Development
Solar Energy Growth Creates New Supply Chain Opportunities for Appalachian Manufacturers
USDA-Funded Program Hands Out First — and Last — Grants to Ohio Food Businesses
<!–<!–Research
<!–<!–<!–<!–Events
<!–<!–ReImagine Appalachia’s 6th Annual Virtual Strategy Summit
January 13 – 14, 2026
11:00 AM – 3:00 PM ET
Location: Zoom
<!–<!–<!–<!–2026 NADO & DDAA Washington Conference
March 8 – 11, 2026
Arlington, VA
<!–<!–<!–<!–South & Appalachian Creative Placemaking Conference: BUILDING BRIDGES: Connecting Communities through Culture and Commerce
April 21 – 24, 2026
Memphis, TN
<!–<!–<!–<!–2026 Professional Development Seminar
July 29 – 30, 2026
Asheville, NC
<!–<!–Grant Opportunities
<!–<!–Solid Waste Management Grant Program
Deadline: December 31, 2025
Deadline: April 17, 2026
Deadline: April 22, 2026
Deadline: January 8, 2027
<!–<!–Deadline: Rolling
Deadline: Rolling
Deadline: Rolling
<!–<!–<!–<!–<!–<!–<!–<!–<!–<!–<!–<!–FOLLOW US
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DDAA Monthly – November 2025 💡
For all your LDD news!
<!–<!–DDAA Monthly
<!–Feature
<!–<!–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.
<!–<!–<!–<!–News
<!–<!–ARC Announces Appalachian Leadership Institute Class of 2025-2026
Demand for Advanced Cooling Systems Surges in Response to AI Data Center Growth
From Narcan to Gun Silencers, Opioid Settlement Cash Pays Law Enforcement Tabs
Governor DeWine Celebrates New School-Based Health Clinic in Leesburg
Hagerstown Community College Lands $260K Grant for Truck Driver Training
In Central Appalachia, Fields Once Cleared for Coal Mining Now Host Herds of Elk
<!–<!–Land Trust Preserves 2,000 Acres Along Appalachian Trail
Marietta College Launches Center for Appalachian Innovation
Modular Housing Manufacturing Facility Expected to Bring Nearly 90 Jobs to Russell County
New Report Finds Appalachia is Ready to Lead in Natural Gas Carbon Capture
Regulators Give Appalachian Power Green Light to Incur Small Modular Nuclear Reactor Site Costs
UK’s SWAP Series Highlights Research Shaping Appalachia’s Future
Unprofitable Out-of-State Coal Plants Costing Kentucky Electricity Customers
<!–<!–Research
<!–<!–21st Century Community Economic Development: Lessons from Eastern Kentucky
Healthcare Disparities and Improving Access to Care in Rural Appalachia
Transportation Infrastructure Needs in the Central Appalachian Basin to Support CORE-CM
The Supply Chain for Wind Turbines Will Create Jobs in Coal Country
<!–<!–Events
<!–<!–PSU Class Workshop Series: A Coalition-Building Vision
December 11, 2025
3:00 PM – 5:00 PM ET
<!–<!–<!–<!–ReImagine Appalachia’s 6th Annual Virtual Strategy Summit
January 13 – 14, 2026
11:00 AM – 3:00 PM ET
Location: Zoom
<!–<!–<!–<!–2026 NADO & DDAA Washington Conference
March 8 – 11, 2026
Arlington, VA
<!–<!–South & Appalachian Creative Placemaking Conference: BUILDING BRIDGES: Connecting Communities through Culture and Commerce
April 21 – 24, 2026
Memphis, TN
<!–<!–2026 Professional Development Seminar
July 29 – 30, 2026
Asheville, NC
<!–<!–Grant Opportunities
<!–<!–Pre Application: December 5, 2025
Solid Waste Management Grant Program
Deadline: December 31, 2025
Deadline: April 17, 2026
Deadline: January 8, 2027
<!–<!–Deadline: Rolling
Deadline: Rolling
Deadline: Rolling
<!–<!–<!–<!–<!–<!–<!–<!–<!–<!–<!–<!–FOLLOW US
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DDAA Monthly – October 2025 💡
For all your LDD news!
<!–<!–DDAA Monthly
<!–Features
<!–<!–Call for Nominations: 2026 DDAA Awards
<!–<!–The Development District Association of Appalachia (DDAA) Awards Committee is soliciting nominations for the 2026 Myers, Whisman, Mazer, and Congressional Awards. These awards are presented each year to a deserving individual by the Development District Association of Appalachia (DDAA) at its annual conference in Washington, D.C. – next year’s Dinner Banquet will be held on March 8, 2026.
The deadline for submissions is October 31, 2025.
<!–<!–<!–<!–<!–<!–Niles ACGP Project
<!–<!–<!–<!–Two projects funded by the Ohio Appalachian Community Grant Program (ACGP) will be transformational for the City of Niles and the broader region with the construction of the new Public Square and Riverside Park. The City was awarded $3.5 million in partnership with Eastgate Regional Council of Government as the ACGP lead applicant. Partners of the project gathered at the future home of the Public Square on August 1st to celebrate the groundbreaking of the project. The Public Square will include a stage for performances, wall and flexible seating, electrical connections for food trucks, Niles letter sculpture, pedestrian crosswalks and bump outs.
<!–<!–<!–<!–<!–<!–📢 Join Us in Tuscaloosa for the RLF Peer Meeting 📢
<!–<!–<!–<!–Connect with Revolving Loan Fund professionals from across the region in Tuscaloosa, Alabama on December 9 – 10, 2025. This one-day meeting with additional site visit creates space for open discussion, peer learning, and practical problem solving focused on real issues that affect RLF programs.
<!–<!–Participants will share lessons learned, explore new strategies, and exchange ideas that strengthen operations, compliance, and portfolio management.
<!–<!–Topics will include:
<!–<!–- Operations and Compliance: What’s working, and what needs improvement?
- Portfolio Management
- EDA Audit/Monitoring
- RLF Defederalization
- Managing in Uncertain Time
<!–<!–Participants are also invited to join the DDAA Board Meeting site visit to the Synergic Center in Northport on December 10.
<!–<!–Seats are limited.
Register today to take part in this important peer exchange!
<!–<!–<!–<!–<!–<!–News
<!–<!–Appalachian Power Launches Major Reliability Project in West Virginia
Athens Awarded Second $400K Grant to Improve US 72-Mooresville Road Intersection
Congressman Langworthy: $650,000 in Federal Funding for the Southern Tier
Governor DeWine Celebrates New Gallia Academy High School Wellness Center
How Would a New Homestead Act for Central Appalachia Work?
How One Ohio County is Getting Ready for Future Flash Floods
<!–<!–Long-Term Recovery Resources for Hurricane Helene in Southern and Central Appalachia
Marshall University Receives $341K to Lead Workforce Initiative for Young adults in Appalachia
North Carolina Receives Another $48M for Storm Recovery Projects
Rising Appalachia Hopes to Turn Coal Mining Land into Community Forest
The Alarming Depopulation of Appalachia’s Coalfields: A Quarter Century of Projected Decline
Tri-County WIB Among Recipients of Latest Round of Appalachian INSPIRE Grants
Youngstown Area Goodwill Receives $500,000 Grant to Launch Recovery-to-Work Program
<!–<!–Research
<!–<!–<!–<!–Events
<!–<!–DDAA Revolving Loan Fund Peer Meeting
December 9 – 10, 2025
Tuscaloosa, AL
<!–<!–PSU Class Workshop Series: A Coalition-Building Vision
December 11, 2025
3:00 PM – 5:00 PM ET
<!–<!–ReImagine Appalachia’s 6th Annual Virtual Strategy Summit
January 13 – 14, 2026
11:00 AM – 3:00 PM ET
Location: Zoom
<!–<!–<!–<!–2026 NADO & DDAA Washington Conference
March 8 – 11, 2026
Arlington, VA
<!–<!–<!–<!–South & Appalachian Creative Placemaking Conference: BUILDING BRIDGES: Connecting Communities through Culture and Commerce
April 21 – 24, 2026
Memphis, TN
<!–<!–Grant Opportunities
<!–<!–Deadline: November 5, 2025
Pre Application: December 5, 2025
Solid Waste Management Grant Program
Deadline: December 31, 2025
Deadline: April 17, 2026
Deadline: January 8, 2027
<!–<!–Deadline: Rolling
Deadline: Rolling
Deadline: Rolling
<!–<!–<!–<!–<!–<!–<!–<!–<!–<!–<!–<!–FOLLOW US
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DDAA Monthly – September 2025 💡
For all your LDD news!
<!–<!–DDAA Monthly
<!–Feature
<!–<!–📢 Reminder: Share Your Experience at the RLF Peer Meeting 📢
<!–<!–<!–<!–DDAA will host the Revolving Loan Fund Peer Meeting in Tuscaloosa, Alabama on December 9 and 10, 2025. This event will bring together administrators and practitioners to exchange ideas, address challenges, and explore how programs are evolving in today’s economy.
<!–<!–We invite proposals from those interested in sharing their experiences and leading a conversation with peers. Presentations can be short and conversational, and we encourage submissions that highlight case studies, lessons learned, or ongoing challenges.
<!–<!–If you are selected to present, DDAA will cover your hotel and airfare!
<!–<!–Registration for the peer meeting is now open – attendance is free, but there are limited seats. We hope to see you in Tuscaloosa.
<!–<!–<!–<!–<!–<!–News
<!–<!–2025 SOAR Summit Aims to Innovate and Inspire Growth for Appalachia
A Flood of Floods: Appalachians in Kentucky Struggle to Recover From a Barrage of Disasters
ARC Grant Awarded to Create Auto Jobs in Macon County
Big Stone Gap to See $300,000 ARC Grant for Sunrise Village Water Extension Project
Federal Cuts Could End Local Feeding Program That Also Pays Farmers for Their Produce
Hazard, Kentucky’s Civic Renaissance is Changing the Narrative About Appalachia
<!–<!–Monumental Ground Breakings Held in Brown County for Appalachian Community Grant Program Projects
More Coal Miner Lives in Jeopardy as Silica Safeguard Delayed Yet Again
New Federal Bill Would Mandate Agencies Study Data Centers’ Rural Impact
Report Argues Nuclear Energy Can Be a Key Driver of Pennsylvania’s Economic Development
<!–<!–Research
<!–<!–<!–<!–Events
<!–<!–ARISE Application Process Webinar
September 25, 2025
11:00 AM – 12:00 PM ET
<!–<!–PSU Workshop Series: Co-Designing Shuttered Coal Plant Charrette
Oct. 21, 2025
3:00 PM – 5:00 PM ET
<!–<!–PSU Class Workshop Series: A Coalition-Building Vision
December 11, 2025
3:00 PM – 5:00 PM ET
<!–<!–<!–<!–2026 NADO & DDAA Washington Conference
March 8th-11th, 2026
Arlington, VA
<!–<!–<!–<!–South & Appalachian Creative Placemaking Conference: BUILDING BRIDGES: Connecting Communities through Culture and Commerce
April 21st – 24th
Memphis, TN
<!–<!–Grant Opportunities
<!–<!–Deadline: October 1, 2025
Deadline: November 5, 2025
Pre Application: December 5, 2025
Deadline: April 17th, 2026
Deadline: January 8th, 2027
<!–<!–Deadline: Rolling
Deadline: Rolling
Deadline: Rolling
<!–<!–<!–<!–<!–<!–<!–<!–<!–<!–<!–<!–FOLLOW US
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DDAA Monthly – August 2025
For all your LDD news!
<!–<!–DDAA Monthly
<!–Feature
<!–<!–Revolving Loan Fund Peer Meeting – Call for Presentations
<!–<!–<!–<!–DDAA is pleased to announce an RLF Peer Meeting in Tuscaloosa, AL on December 9th and 10th, 2025. The meeting will provide an opportunity for administrators and practitioners to discuss challenges, share effective practices, and examine how programs are adapting in the current economic climate. Sessions will be focused on peer exchange, and we are seeking a small number of presentations to help guide discussion.
<!–<!–We are currently accepting proposals from individuals interested in sharing their experiences and then facilitating a discussion with attendees. Presentations may be brief and informal, and we welcome case studies, challenges, or lessons learned.
<!–<!–Goals and Participation
<!–<!–This meeting is designed to support open, candid conversations among RLF practitioners. Whether you’re managing a mature program or just getting started, we welcome your ideas and questions. Sessions will prioritize peer discussion and real-world examples over formal presentations.
<!–<!–Travel Support
<!–<!–Travel costs (hotel and airfare) will be covered for selected facilitators.
<!–<!–<!–<!–News
<!–<!–Community Conversations for ARC’s New Strategic Plan
Appalachian Regional Commission Funding Restored in Congressional Committee
Appalachian Regional Commission Opens 2025 POWER Grant Application Process
App State Awarded $1.4M Grant to Strengthen Special Education Workforce in Rural Appalachia
Eastern Kentucky’s ‘Higher Ground’ Homes Are Being Built. The Builders See the Need for Much More
EPA Plans to Roll Back Air and Water Protections
Governor DeWine Celebrates $36 Million in Riverfront Redevelopments in Brown and Clermont Counties
<!–<!–In Appalachia, Fracking is Not the Job Creator the Industry Claims
In Southeast Ohio, Local Non-Profits Are Preparing Students to Meet Workforce Needs
Major Tourism Project Underway in Eastern Kentucky
One University of Kentucky Student’s Search for Contaminants in Appalachian Streams
Scholarships Open Doors at Shawnee State as Appalachian Dental Crisis Deepens
<!–<!–Research
<!–<!–<!–<!–Events
<!–<!–Appalachian Places: Growing Local Economies
October 6 – 7, 2025
Frostburg, Maryland
<!–<!–<!–<!–2025 NADO Annual Training Conference
October 14 – 17, 2025
Salt Lake City, UT
<!–<!–Grant Opportunities
<!–<!–Deadline: Rolling
Deadline: Rolling
<!–<!–Deadline: Rolling
<!–<!–<!–<!–<!–<!–<!–<!–<!–<!–<!–<!–FOLLOW US
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DDAA Monthly: July 2025
For all your LDD news!
<!–<!–DDAA Monthly
<!–Feature
<!–<!–Thank You for Joining Us at the DDAA Seminar!
<!–<!–<!–<!–Congratulations! Another successful Professional Development Seminar is in the books. We covered a broad range of topics from project management strategies to AI best practices for public agencies. DDAA so appreciates the continued support of our wonderful network and we look forward to next year’s event!
In the coming weeks, DDAA will post presentation slides, photos, and other materials to the Seminar homepage.
Keep your eye on it to stay up to date!
<!–<!–<!–<!–📢 2026 Annual Conference: Call for Session Proposals 📢
<!–<!–DEADLINE TOMORROW: Friday, August 1, 2025
<!–<!–The Development District Association of Appalachia is holding its Annual Conference in Arlington, Virginia from March 8 – 11, 2026. We plan to share cutting-edge ideas, highlight success stories and lessons learned, and engage with other LDDs during our annual gathering. DDAA is seeking compelling session proposals to ensure a comprehensive program. Session proposals should address topics and trends that reflect the wide-ranging needs and interests of member region, states or LDDs, with a focus on this year’s theme of Navigating Change, Cultivating Strength.
<!–<!–<!–<!–<!–<!–News
<!–<!–Appalachian Airports Prepare for Electric Aircraft Revolution
Appalachian-Area Partners Pushing for Continued Federal Funding
Appalachian Off-Roaders Get An Infusion of Cash to Boost Rural Tourism
ARC Grant Supports Growth of Tennessee Riverline in Appalachian Communities
Can a $130M Conservation Deal in Virginia’s Coal Country Curb Climate Change and Lift Appalachia?
City of Fairmont, West Virginia, Receives $200,000 in Grants from Appalachian Regional Commission
<!–<!–Fox Tank Company Announces $7.9M Investment in Coshocton County
Kentucky’s First 3D Printed Concrete Home to Be Revealed in Live Event
“More Than a Third” of Appalachian Trail Inaccessible Due to Hurricane Damage
‘Next Time, We’ll be ready:’ Community Resilience Hubs Take Root in Western North Carolina
Stressed Power Grid Keeping Up With Demand in West Virginia, Ohio, Kentucky
<!–<!–Research
<!–<!–Appalachians Have Less Education and More Poverty Compared to the Rest of Rural America, Study Finds
Assessing Infrastructure Exposure to Mountain Wave Wind Events in the Southern Appalachians
Clarkson-Hendrix Study Examining Social Connectedness in Rural Appalachia is Published
Interactive Map Detailing the State of Funding in Appalachia
Rural Research Brief: Natural Disasters and Resiliency in Central Appalachia
Severe Floods Increase Long-Term Opioid Overdose Mortality
Sustaining Rural Hospital Access: Adjustments to Medicare Rural Hospital Designations
<!–<!–Events
<!–<!–Manufacturing Momentum Goes to the Motor City: A National Workforce Summit
Aug 4 – 7, 2025
Detroit, Michigan
<!–<!–<!–<!–2025 NADO Annual Training Conference
October 14 – 17, 2025
Salt Lake City, UT
<!–<!–Grant Opportunities
<!–<!–Deadline: Rolling
Deadline: Rolling
<!–<!–Deadline: Rolling
<!–<!–<!–<!–<!–<!–<!–<!–<!–<!–<!–<!–FOLLOW US
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DDAA Monthly: June 2025 🔆
For all your LDD news!
<!–<!–DDAA Monthly
<!–Feature
<!–<!–BTC Communications Steps Up to Serve Tennessee’s
<!–<!–Underserved Communities
<!–<!–<!–<!–In Tennessee, municipal broadband providers cannot extend services outside their electric territory, even if the providers would have the ability to provide the service. Therefore, rural electric and telephone cooperatives have stepped into this void to provide broadband services. The Southeast Tennessee Development District has worked with Bledsoe Telephone Cooperative for the past 10 years to identify, secure, and deploy grant dollars toward the last mile broadband infrastructure.
<!–<!–<!–<!–📢 2026 Annual Conference: Call for Session Proposals 📢
<!–<!–DEADLINE: Friday, August 1, 2025
<!–<!–The Development District Association of Appalachia is holding its Annual Conference in Arlington, Virginia from March 8-11, 2026. We plan to share cutting-edge ideas, highlight success stories and lessons learned, and engage with other LDDs during our annual gathering. DDAA is seeking compelling session proposals to ensure a comprehensive program. Session proposals should address topics and trends that reflect the wide-ranging needs and interests of member region, states or LDDs, with a focus on this year’s theme of Navigating Change, Cultivating Strength.
<!–<!–<!–<!–<!–<!–News
<!–<!–Appalachian Innovation: Virginia Tech Leads Projects to Boost Energy, Jobs, and Sustainability
Appalachian Ohioians Can Get Free Conservation Technical Assistance
Appalachian Regional Commission Seeks to Measure Prior Broadband Program
App State Awarded $2.3M to Advance Innovation in NC Agriculture
Backroads of Appalachia Awarded $3.8 Million Dollar Grant
Clean Energy Tax Credits Are Powering Change Across Appalachia
Despite Court Order, Black Lung Screening Program Still Not Fully Functional
<!–<!–Economic First Responders: CDFIs, The Unsung Heroes of Appalachian Financial Services
Implications of Potential Federal Medicaid Reductions for Addressing the Opioid Epidemic
Lawmakers Announce $800,000 for High-Speed Internet Access
New Site Awarded Grant to Expand Health Services
POWER-Funded Supply Chain Study to Boost Local Mining Industry
Rural Cities Get a Helping Hand for Tech Workforce and Economic Development
Trump Administration Reverses MSHA Closures that Coal Mining Advocates Fought to Keep
<!–<!–Research
<!–<!–Clean Energy Tax Credits: Working for Appalachia
Interactive Map Detailing the State of Funding in Appalachia
Research Advancing Kentucky: Fighting Alcohol’s Toll in Appalachia
Rural Research Brief: Natural Disasters and Resiliency in Central Appalachia
Sustaining Rural Hospital Access: Adjustments to Medicare Rural Hospital Designations
<!–<!–Events
<!–<!–2025 DDAA Professional Development Seminar
Jul 28 – 29, 2025
Pittsburgh, PA
<!–<!–Manufacturing Momentum Goes to the Motor City: A National Workforce Summit
Aug 4 – 7, 2025
Detroit, Michigan
<!–<!–2025 NADO Annual Training Conference
October 14 – 17, 2025
Salt Lake City, UT
<!–<!–Grant Opportunities
<!–<!–Deadline: Rolling
Deadline: Rolling
<!–<!–Deadline: Rolling
<!–<!–<!–<!–<!–<!–<!–<!–<!–<!–<!–<!–FOLLOW US
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DDAA Monthly: May 2025 🔆
For all your LDD news!
<!–<!–DDAA Monthly
<!–Feature
<!–<!–Join Us in Pittsburgh for the 2025 DDAA Professional Development Seminar!
<!–<!–<!–<!–Enhance your skills, grow your career, and connect with peers at the Development District Association of Appalachia’s 2025 Professional Development Seminar, held at the Renaissance Hotel in Pittsburgh, PA. This event offers practical training and insights for professionals at all levels—from executive directors to program staff. Don’t miss this opportunity to invest in yourself and your organization!
Book your hotel room and register now!
<!–<!–<!–<!–<!–<!–News
<!–<!–Amazon Plans to Build Dozens of U.S. Warehouses in Rural Expansion
Amidst Climate Impacts, Rural Water Systems Rely on Federal Programs
Appalachian Regional Commission Grant for the City of Corry Gets Terminated
Bipartisan Bill Aims to Help Rural Communities Access Federal Broadband Funds
Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation Awarded $5 Million Grant for Regional Tourism
<!–<!–Chris Stapleton and Tyler Childers to Co-Headline Healing Appalachia Benefit
From Gambling to Garbage, Coal Country Mines for the Next Big Thing
Moms in Crisis, Jobs Lost: The Human Cost of Trump’s Addiction Funding Cuts
New BRECC Toolkit: Coal Communities’ Pathways for Economic Diversification
Trump Eyes Gutting Agency That Aids Coal, Manufacturing Towns
<!–<!–Research
<!–<!–Connecting Economic Development Districts & Higher Education Institutions:
University of Tennessee and Upper Cumberland Development District Case Study
<!–<!–<!–<!–The University of Tennessee’s Center for Industrial Services (UT CIS), an EDA-designated University Center, has partnered closely with Tennessee’s Economic Development Districts—especially the Upper Cumberland Development District (UCDD). Through programs like TCED, Asset-Based Planning, and the Workforce Development Academy, UT CIS delivers training, research, and support to drive local economic growth.
This collaboration, grounded in shared leadership and trust, showcases how higher education and regional partnerships can advance sustainable community and workforce development.
<!–<!–<!–<!–<!–<!–Events
<!–<!–<!–<!–<!–<!–<!–<!–Grant Opportunities
<!–<!–Application Deadlines:
- Fourth Quarter: June 30, 2025
Deadline: Rolling
<!–<!–Deadline: Rolling
Deadline: Rolling
Deadline: Rolling
<!–<!–<!–<!–<!–<!–<!–<!–<!–<!–<!–<!–FOLLOW US
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