Improving Appalachia

An area foundation focusing on the improvement of education in Appalachia is receiving some financial support.

The JPMorgan Chase Foundation awarded the Foundation for Appalachian Ohio with a $100,000 grant to support regional efforts to improve educational measures in the area.

"Well the Foundation for Appalachian Ohio has a 32 county reach that is quite common to where Chase does its business across Ohio and so it’s a very compelling case to make a single grant like this that touches such a large geography," said JPMorgan Chase Foundation Region Executive Jeff Lyttle.

The money will specifically be used for the evolution of STEMM education: science, technology, engineering, math, and medicine. Lyttle said by focusing on these areas it will help prepare students for jobs in the 21st century.

"We believe that literally every child in Appalachia should have access to educational opportunities needed for success," said CEO and President of the Foundation for Appalachian Ohio Cara Dingus Brooke. "now that sounds big and what is that, but what we are really looking is putting some really measurable goals forward to say here is what it means, here is what they deserve."

The grant was presented during the second meeting of the newly formed Appalachian Ohio Business Council. The group hopes to improve the local economy by bringing jobs to the area and helping businesses grow.