At the DDAA Annual Business Meeting on March 8, 2026, DDAA Past President Chris Chiles formally unveiled the organization’s new 2026–2030 Strategic Plan. The announcement took place during the DDAA Annual Conference in Arlington, Virginia, where Local Development District (LDD) representatives, federal partners, and regional leaders gathered to discuss the future of community and economic development across Appalachia.
The new Strategic Plan builds on DDAA’s previous plan adopted in 2021 and reflects a year-long process of board discussions, member feedback, and strategic assessment. As DDAA represents 74 Local Development Districts serving 423 counties across the Appalachian Region, the Plan outlines how the organization will continue to strengthen its support for LDDs while responding to an evolving policy and economic landscape. With federal budgets tightening, communities recovering from natural disasters, and development priorities shifting, the Plan emphasizes both strengthening DDAA’s core services and selectively pursuing new initiatives that advance regional collaboration and innovation.
The Strategic Plan continues to organize DDAA’s work around five core areas: Leadership and Professional Development, Networking, Engagement, Advocacy, and Innovation. These focus areas reflect the services members most value—from training and peer learning opportunities to stronger engagement with federal partners and a more focused approach to advocacy for Appalachian communities. The Plan also introduces several new priorities, including expanded leadership development for new LDD staff and directors, stronger peer learning networks on emerging topics such as workforce and disaster recovery, and enhanced efforts to tell the story of the impact Local Development Districts have across rural America.
The new Plan reflects both continuity and adaptation. DDAA will continue to deliver high-quality training programs and conferences while expanding opportunities for collaboration, mentoring, and knowledge sharing among members. At the same time, the Plan recognizes the importance of strengthening partnerships with federal agencies, philanthropic organizations, and national development networks in order to position the Appalachian region for future opportunities.
The release of the Strategic Plan at the Annual Business Meeting marked an important milestone for the organization and reaffirmed DDAA’s commitment to supporting Local Development Districts as they work to build healthy, prosperous, and resilient communities throughout Appalachia.
As implementation begins, DDAA will continue working closely with its members and partners to translate the Plan’s goals into concrete actions that strengthen regional development efforts across the Appalachian Region. DDAA thanks Erik Pages of EntreWorks Consulting for his work in the development of the Plan.