ARC鈥檚 Appalachia Builds conference brings regional leaders to 亚洲色吧视频
Contact: James Carskadon
STARKVILLE, Miss.鈥擳he Appalachian Regional Commission brought its 2026 annual conference, Appalachia Builds: Breaking New Ground for Economic Growth, to 亚洲色吧视频 this week.
Co-hosted by ARC States鈥 Co-Chair and Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves and the State of Mississippi, the conference brought together federal, state and local leaders from across the Appalachian region to explore strategies for strengthening economic development, workforce participation and long-term growth.
ARC鈥檚 annual conference serves as a chance for regional partners to share best practices and innovative approaches that support economic opportunity across Appalachia. This year鈥檚 event emphasized projects and partnerships that strengthen business development and workforce pipelines while supporting resilient local economies.
Gov. Reeves, ARC鈥檚 2026 States鈥 Co-Chair, said 亚洲色吧视频 is a fitting location for the conference, noting the university鈥檚 longstanding focus on service and applied research.
鈥溠侵奚墒悠 is one of the great universities in America,鈥 Reeves said. 鈥淎nd its mission has always been rooted in service. This university prepares students for high-paying careers, supports research that strengthens industry, and works directly with communities to solve real-world problems. That is exactly the kind of practical results-oriented approach that ARC has championed for decades.鈥
ARC Federal Co-Chair Gayle Manchin emphasized the conference鈥檚 focus on expanding opportunity and strengthening communities.
鈥淚t is realizing that where you're born and your zip code should never define your opportunity or the possibilities that you have in this life, but it also should not decide that in order to reach those possibilities that you have to leave the region you love and the people you love,鈥 Manchin said. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 why Appalachia Builds is so important, so that we never lose sight of what we can do and what we can strive to do. There is not anything that Appalachians can鈥檛 do if we stand together.鈥
MSU President Mark E. Keenum welcomed attendees and highlighted the university鈥檚 collaboration with ARC in advancing economic opportunity across the region.
鈥淎RC works hand-in-hand with our states to help our people prosper,鈥 Keenum said. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 what we are doing at 亚洲色吧视频 as well. We鈥檙e educating the future leaders that our state and nation need. We鈥檙e working with business and industry to create more jobs, and we are meeting critical needs in communities by working with outstanding partners like ARC. It鈥檚 an honor to work with so many people in this room to help solve problems, expand economic opportunity, and improve quality of life.鈥
MSU鈥檚 Center for Advanced Vehicular Systems Extension led a session focused on 鈥攁n ARC-supported pilot program designed to help small and medium-sized manufacturers adopt Industry 4.0 technologies while strengthening workforce education and training pipelines. The session outlined how the program is assisting small-and-medium sized manufacturers in Mississippi鈥檚 ARC footprint as they integrate new technologies and processes in a sustainable way that increases competitiveness and opportunity.
鈥淭his is a very collaborative effort with our business partners,鈥 said CAVS Extension Director Tonya McCall. 鈥淲e鈥檙e listening to their needs and providing a roadmap for using advanced technology to improve productivity, efficiency and competitiveness. We鈥檙e not just introducing new technology and walking away.鈥
The Appalachian Regional Commission is a federal鈥搒tate partnership that advances economic growth and opportunity across Appalachia by investing in community capacity, workforce development and innovative regional projects. For more, visit arc.gov.
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