WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) announced that the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) has awarded $10,000 to the Foundation for Appalachian Ohio to host the iBELIEVE Leadership Summit Series, a leadership development program to help Appalachian students continue their education and contribute to their communities. The Foundation for Appalachian Ohio is based in Nelsonville.
“Investments like these help communities across Appalachia create jobs, invest in infrastructure, provide healthcare and make sure students can get the education they deserve,” said Brown. “I’ll continue to fight to restore funding to the Appalachian Regional Commission, so it can continue its critical support to rural Ohioans.”
The Foundation for Appalachian Ohio helps local students participate in the iBELIEVE Ohio Association of Student Councils summer leadership camp – a five-week program designed for students in Appalachia to learn new skills to prepare for college and careers. The grant from ARC gives the Foundation for Appalachian Ohio the ability to operate the program year-round through the iBELIEVE Leadership Summit Series. The funding will help conduct 12 regional events to serve nearly 1,000 high school students in Appalachia.
Brown has supported ARC’s continued investment in Ohio. In March, Brown spoke out against President Trump’s efforts to eliminate ARC entirely, citing a need for continued investments in rural Ohio.
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