Appalachia Director Visits County Commissioners

Ohio’s Appalachian region covers a vast majority of the state.

The Ohio Governor’s Office of Appalachia works to increase job opportunities in our region, and serves as an advocate to improve the overall quality of life through economic and community development. Director, Jason Wilson, visited the Muskingum County Commissioners Monday to give an update on the budget, and to talk about upcoming projects in our area.

“I want to make sure we’re building our relationship, making sure we’re working and communicating, not only on the state budget, but where we are on projects that might be important to Muskingum County, and the villages and cities within the county,”Wilson said. “We help out local communities in Appalachia, grow.”

There are 32 counties in Appalachia Ohio, and each year the organization works with them to address their specific needs and issues. Ohio is the only state in Appalachia to receive state funds along with federal. This year, the organization received a significant increase in its budget to invest in the region.

“If there’s a business moving in, such as in the last few year as oil and gas, maybe a company that’s been here for many years that’s growing and developing, as the commissioners mentioned in our meeting, we ask how can we help, what can we do with a water line, a sewer line, an access road,” Wilson said.

To learn more about the Ohio Governor’s Office of Appalachia, visit development.ohio.gov.