FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:

Ohio Department of Development
Mike Hogan
(614) 644-1931
or
Bill Teets
(614) 466-2382
Columbus, Ohio

TAFT MAKES CASE FOR ADDITIONAL FEDERAL FUNDING FOR APPALACHIAN REGION

Columbus, OH -- Governor Bob Taft today asked Congress to increase funding for the Appalachian Regional Commission’s (ARC’s) non-highway programs. The programs, currently under consideration by the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water, were only funded at $38.5 million by the House.

The ARC is requesting that an additional $32.5 million be considered for its non-highways program, bringing the total to $71 million to help improve the health and well being of families throughout the Appalachian region, including Ohio’s 29 ARC counties.

"This additional funding is crucial if we want to continue effectively serving Ohio's Appalachian counties," said Taft. "With $71million in funds, the ARC can continue its effective work in helping Appalachian counties overcome social and economic barriers in the region."

Ohio is one of 13 states that participate in the ARC. If funded to $71 million, Ohio could expect more than $4 million in funding to boost programs that benefit Ohio’s Appalachian counties.

Based on a federal-state partnership, ARC has been a strategic partner and advocate for sustainable community and economic development in the Appalachian region of Ohio for almost 40 years. In 2003 alone, the ARC funds in Ohio leveraged $10.88 million in local funds and served 772 households and 34 industries with water and/or wastewater infrastructure. Health and dental care were provided to 31,600 residents in the same year.

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