Appalachian Ohio State of the Region Conference
13th Appalachian Ohio State of the Region Conference: Building Thriving Communities
May 13, 2025 | 8:30 AM - 3:00 PM
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.
2025 Conference Schedule
Time | Session |
8:30 – 8:50 a.m. | Registration and Networking |
8:50 – 9:15 a.m. | Welcome Remarks |
Misty Crosby: Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Service Senior Executive in Residence for Local Government Services Dean Tracy Plouck: Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Service John Carey: Director, Governor’s Office of Appalachia Jason Jolley: Master of Public Administration Director Interim Associate Vice President for Research and Creative Activity Other speakers to be announced. | |
9:15 – 10:20 a.m. | Housing |
Presenters to be announced. Moderator: Kathy Zook, Appalachian Regional Commission Program Manager, Eastgate Regional Council of Governments | |
10:20 – 10:40 a.m. | Break |
10:40 – 11:45 a.m. | Tourism |
Presenters to be announced. Moderator: Stephanie Gilbert, Ohio Valley Regional Development Commission | |
11:45 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. | Lunch Break |
12:15 – 1:20 p.m. | Childcare |
Presenters to be announced. Moderator: Dr. Vicki King-Maple, Ohio Mid-Eastern Governments Association | |
1:20 – 2:25 p.m. | Downtown Development |
Presenters to be announced. Moderator: To be announced | |
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.
Eastgate Regional Council of Governments
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