Appalachian Ohio State of the Region Conference

Registration is now open!

There is no cost to attend this event.

May 14, 2024

Ohio University,
Baker University Center Ballroom
Athens Ohio

The Appalachian Ohio State of the Region Conference brings public officials, economic development experts, business and organizational leaders and others to discuss different issues related to economic growth in the Appalachian Ohio region. The event is part of the Ohio University’s Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Service U.S. Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration (EDA) University Center project.

2024 Conference Schedule

Time	Session
8:30 – 9:00 a.m.	Registration and Networking
9:00 – 9:15 a.m.	Welcome Remarks
9:15 – 10:20 a.m.	Rural Downtowns: Revitalized
	Mayor Don Mason: City of Zanesville Mayor Doug Franklin: City of Warren Jeff Minosky: Councilman, Village of Caldwell & Director, Noble County Convention and Visitors Bureau Bret Adams: Principal with Black Diamond Development LLC Moderator: Brad Peoples, Buckeye Hills Regional Council
10:20 – 10:40 a.m.	Break
10:40 – 11:45 a.m.	Rural Housing Availability: Enhanced
	Ryan Scribner: Director of Economic Development, The Montrose Group Tiffany Swigert: Executive Director, Coshocton Port Authority DJ Falcoski: Project Manager, Renew Rio & Associate, RE/MAX Town Center Shawn Carvin: Executive Director, Ohio Land Bank Association Moderator: Dr. Vicki King-Maple, Ohio Mid-Eastern Governments Association
11:45 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.	Lunch Break
12:15 – 1:20 p.m.	Rural Workforce Options: Increased
	Julie Bolen: Executive Director, Ross County Community Action Commission Sheila Vandergriff: Director of Development, Glenbeigh Outpatient Center of Niles, ACMC Healthcare System Kara Willis: Regional Talent Manager, OhioSE Tasha Werry: Executive Director, Building Bridges to Careers (BB2C) Moderator: Stephanie Gilbert, Ohio Valley Regional Development Commission
1:20 – 2:25 p.m.	Rural Funding: Multiplied
	John Carey: Director, Governor’s Office of Appalachia Kristi Tanner: Senior Managing Director, JobsOhio Nate Green: Managing Director of Economic Development, The Montrose Group Kathy Zook: Appalachian Regional Commission Program Manager, Eastgate Regional Council of Governments Moderator: Faith Knutsen, Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Service, Ohio University
2:25 – 2:30 p.m.	Closing Remarks

About the EDA University Center

Ohio University’s Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Service was first established as an U.S. Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration (EDA) University Center in 1996. The Voinovich School University Center is a joint project with Bowling Green State University which collectively serves 59 rural Ohio counties: 32 Appalachian counties and 27 counties in northwestern Ohio.

EDA University Centers are a partnership of the federal government and academia that makes the varied and vast resources of universities available to the economic development community.

The ongoing support received through the EDA assists the Voinovich School in providing direct business assistance services, applied research initiatives and an annual State of the Region Conference. The overall result is the positioning of the region for economic growth.