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Welcome to the Governor's Office of Appalachia!

The Governor's Office of Appalachia (GOA) represents the interests of the 29 counties comprising East Central, Southeast and Southern Ohio. The GOA is a division within the Ohio Department of Development and works on behalf of the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) in Washington, D.C.

The GOA's mission statement is: "to support local, regional, state and federal initiatives which allow the people of Ohio's Appalachian region to obtain economic, educational and community prosperity."

Projects utilizing either state or federal Appalachian funds must meet one of the following goals:

• Increase job opportunities and per capita income in Appalachia to reach parity with the nation.
• Strengthen the capacity of the people of Appalachia to compete in the global economy.
• Develop and improve Appalachia's infrastructure to make the region economically competitive.
• Build the Appalachian Development Highway System (ADHS) to reduce Appalachia's isolation.

Grantees should contact the Local Development Districts for more specific information on each program.

Ohio's Appalachian region blends a rich heritage to create a very vigorous and productive workforce."Ohio's Scenic Crescent" also is renowned for its well-managed natural resources; its remarkable tourism,cultural activities and arts foundation and its unique quality of life.

Governor's Office and the Ohio General Assembly are ardent supporters of the Appalachian region and set a precedent by appropriating approximately $4 million to match Ohio's allotment of federal ARC funds. This equal match of federal and state funding enhances economic and community development within the region. Preliminary project information and coordination is provided first via local development districts or the governor's regional representatives before coming to the GOA for consideration. All projects to receive funding must meet one or more of the ARC's four program goals.

Fred Deel
Director
fdeel@odod.state.oh.us
(614)-752-9302

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