Governor Moore will work alongside ARC’s Federal Co-Chair and fellow Appalachian governors to boost economic and community growth across the 13-state region.
WASHINGTON, D.C., February 10, 2025—Maryland Governor Wes Moore has been elected by his fellow Appalachian governors to serve as the 2025 Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) States’ Co-Chair.
As part of ARC’s federal-state-local partnership structure, the States’ Co-Chair works collaboratively with the ARC Federal Co-Chair and fellow Appalachian state governors to invest in economic and community growth across the region’s 13 states and 423 counties. In addition to advancing ARC investments across the region, the States’ Co-Chair also hosts ARC’s annual conference.
Governor Moore will serve as ARC’s 72nd States’ Co-Chair and the sixth Maryland Governor since 1965 to hold the position.
“Maryland’s economic growth is incumbent upon our work to build an economy that works for everyone,” said Maryland Governor and 2025 ARC States’ Co-Chair Wes Moore. “I am honored to serve as Appalachian Regional Commission Co-Chair and look forward to working in partnership with all 13 state governments across the Appalachian region to strategically build our workforce and increase innovation as we work together to build a brighter future.”
“I congratulate Governor Wes Moore on being selected by his fellow Appalachian Governors to serve as ARC’s 2025 States’ Co-Chair,” said ARC Federal Co-Chair Gayle Manchin. “I look forward to collaborating with him and all of our Appalachian governors as we continue advancing our shared mission to strengthen economic growth and expand opportunities for the region’s 26 million residents. In addition, I also want to express my appreciation to Tennessee Governor Bill Lee for his support and service during his tenure as the 2024 States’ Co-Chair.”
In fiscal year (FY) 2024, ARC invested nearly $365 million in 583 projects throughout the region, which attracted an additional $5 billion in private investments. ARC’s FY 2024 investments are projected to create or retain over 16,000 jobs and educate or train over 39,600 students and workers for new opportunities in emerging sectors across Appalachia.
Learn more about ARC’s investment priorities and its impact in FY 2024.
About the Appalachian Regional Commission
The Appalachian Regional Commission is an economic development entity of the federal government and 13 state governments focusing on 423 counties across the Appalachian region. ARC’s mission is to innovate, partner, and invest to build community capacity and strengthen economic growth in Appalachia to help the region achieve socioeconomic parity with the nation.