ARC Concludes Planning Process for 2005–2010 Strategic Plan
The Appalachian Regional Commission has adopted a new strategic plan that will help guide its economic and community development work in the Appalachian Region over the next five years. The plan is the result of a comprehensive strategic planning process launched in November 2003.

In the first stage of the process, completed in late April, Commission partners gathered information and input by conducting a comprehensive review of socioeconomic changes in the Region; researching key development issues; holding consultations with ARC state partners and advisory councils; and conducting field forums across the Region and in Washington, D.C., with citizens, representatives of private, public, and nonprofit organizations, and local development district officials. In March and April, four field forums on key issues, opportunities, and challenges the Region faces took place in Dalton, Georgia; Ashland, Kentucky; State College, Pennsylvania; and Kingsport, Tennessee. (Presentation slides from the field forums are available on ARC’s Web site.) The second stage of the strategic planning process, completed in June, focused on synthesis of the information gathered. In this stage ARC partners identified key issues and prioritized development strategies and activities.

The August adoption of the new plan concluded the third and final stage of the process, in which ARC’s vision, mission, goals, and objectives were developed and consensus among partners on the draft plan was achieved.

The 2005–2010 strategic plan will be available on ARC’s Web site in fall 2004.

President's FY 2005 Budget Request for ARC
The president's fiscal year 2005 budget request for ARC was released Monday, February 2.

Summary of the President's FY 2005 Budget Request for ARC

FY 2005 Performance Budget Justification

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
President Signs Short-Term Continuing Resolution Providing ARC Funding; Congress Approves Extension of ADHS Program through May 2005
On September 30 President Bush signed a continuing resolution that will provide funding for the Appalachian Regional Commission at its fiscal year 2004 level ($65.6 million) through November 20. Also on September 30, Congress approved an eight-month extension of federal highway programs, including the Appalachian Development Highway System program, through May 31, 2005.

All legislative updates

TESTIMONY
Full text of legislative testimony given by ARC officials.