WASHINGTON, February 6, 2006—President Bush proposed a federal budget for fiscal year (FY) 2007 today that requests $64.817 million for the Appalachian Regional Commission's (ARC) community and economic development programs. This amount represents level funding for the agency.

The Commission's programs are designed to help the 13-state Appalachian Region achieve socioeconomic parity with the nation and advance the four goals of its strategic plan: 1) increasing job opportunities and per capita income; 2) strengthening the capacity of Appalachia's citizens to compete in the global economy; 3) improving the Region's infrastructure to make Appalachia economically competitive; 4) building the Appalachian Development Highway System to reduce the Region's isolation.

ARC Federal Co-Chair Anne B. Pope welcomed the administration's budget proposal. "President Bush's 2007 budget proposal for ARC reflects the president's continued commitment to assist the people of Appalachia in achieving economic parity with the rest of the nation," she said. "In this tight budget environment requiring difficult choices in federal priorities, we appreciate the president's confidence in ARC's ability to deliver the economic tools that communities need to grow and prosper."

Kentucky Governor Ernie Fletcher, ARC's 2006 states' co-chair, said, "Moving Kentucky forward means helping our Appalachian communities grow and prosper. We appreciate President Bush's budget proposal and helping us to help the citizens of Kentucky."

The administration's FY 2007 budget proposal must now go to Congress for its consideration.

Summary of the President's FY 2007 Budget Request for ARC