For Immediate Release, June 2, 2000
Contact: Gwenda Bond or Rusty Cheuvront (502)564-2611 

Governor Paul Patton Chosen as ARC States’ Co-Chair

Kentucky Governor Paul Patton has been chosen by his fellow governors of Appalachian states to serve as States’ Co-Chairman of the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) for calendar year 2001. The governor will succeed Governor Cecil Underwood of West Virginia, who is currently serving his second consecutive year as ARC States’ Co-Chairman.

Governor Patton said, “I’m truly honored to be selected for this position by my colleagues. I’ve worked closely with Governor Underwood and the other Appalachian governors during my time in office, and will continue in our efforts to focus greater attention and resources on distressed counties in Appalachia. This is an important time for us to help those regions that need it most, and to promote a positive image of Appalachia.”

When the governor assumes his new post in January, he will speak for the 13 governors of Appalachian states on regional issues and will co-chair ARC meetings, including ARC’s annual meeting of Appalachian governors in Washington, D.C. This meeting will be the governor’s first active appearance as co-chair and is slated to take place in February.

During his administration, Governor Patton, a native and lifelong resident of Eastern Kentucky, has focused considerable energy on raising the standard of living and creating new economic opportunity throughout the Eastern Kentucky region. In 1996 he reorganized the Kentucky Appalachian Commission, making it accountable to the Governor’s Office, and charged the body with examining issues affecting Eastern Kentucky and promoting progress in the region. Among his many other efforts on behalf of the region, in 1999 the governor announced a new push to bring economic development to Eastern Kentucky, naming the New Appalachian Action Team and Jerry Johnson as Special Assistant in the Governor’s Office of New Appalachian Development.

Established by Congress in 1965, the ARC is a unique federal-state partnership composed of governors of the 13 Appalachian states and a presidential appointee representing the federal government. Appointed by President Clinton in February 1994, Dr. Jesse L. White, Jr. currently serves as ARC’s Federal Co-Chairman in Washington.

The Commission is dedicated to providing opportunities for economic development and improved quality of life in the Appalachian states and oversees a budget of $466 million. The Appalachian region includes 406 counties in Kentucky, Alabama, Georgia, Maryland, Mississippi, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia. Grassroots participation is provided through 71 local development districts, multi-county organizations with boards made up of elected officials, business people and other leaders.