Sworn into the post on April 3, 2018, Thomas has more than 20 years’ experience working in Kentucky’s public and private sectors on infrastructure, workforce training, and regulatory issues.

Signed by President Trump on March 23, the omnibus bill provides the highest level of funding for ARC’s nonhighway programs in the agency’s history.

Developed by NORC at the University of Chicago and ARC, the Appalachian Overdose Mapping Tool integrates overdose mortality rates for Appalachia's 420 counties with data on socioeconomic factors including unemployment, poverty, disability, and others.

In February 2018, ARC released a state-by-state overview of the Commission’s fiscal year 2017 economic development investments in the Appalachian Region. The overview includes 13 state investment fact sheets, as well as a companion fact sheet outlining ARC’s regional investments during the fiscal year.

Signed by the president on February 9, the legislation continues agency funding, including ARC’s, at the FY 2017 level, minus a small across-the-board reduction. It also sets overall budget numbers to guide the congressional appropriations committees in drafting an omnibus appropriations bill for the rest of FY 2018.

On February 1, ARC issued a request for proposals (RFP) for 2018 POWER Initiative funding to help Appalachia's coal-impacted communities create a more vibrant economic future. The Commission is making up to $20 million available through the RFP.

The January 2018 research series An Economic Analysis of the Appalachian Coal Industry Ecosystem is the first comprehensive assessment of current and potential effects the changing coal industry can have on the Appalachian Region. The series' five reports explore some of the current and future economic effects of declining coal…

Signed January 23, the legislation continues ARC's funding at the FY 2017 level, minus a small across-the-board reduction. Commission programs and activities funded through the legislation are the same as those funded through the agency’s FY 2017 appropriation.

Chosen by his fellow Appalachian governors to serve as the Commission's 2018 states' co-chair, Bryant will work directly with the ARC federal co-chair in this leadership role to continue the agency's commitment to economic growth in the 13-state Appalachian Region.

Announced January 4, Thomas' nomination was referred to the U.S. Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works on January 8 for consideration and review.

Signed December 22, the legislation continues ARC's funding at the FY 2017 level, minus a small across-the-board reduction. Commission programs and activities funded through the legislation are the same as those funded through the agency’s FY 2017 appropriation.

Signed December 8, the legislation continues ARC's funding at the FY 2017 level, minus a small across-the-board reduction. Commission programs and activities funded through the legislation are the same as those funded through the agency’s FY 2017 appropriation.

Student research projects to be presented at the 2017 ATP conference focus on developing Appalachia’s natural and cultural assets, supporting public education initiatives, expanding downtown development and community leadership efforts, enhancing health and the quality of life in Appalachia, and cultivating the economic potential of the Region’s waterways.

Signed September 8, the legislation continues ARC's funding at the FY 2017 level, minus a small across-the-board reduction. Commission programs and activities funded through the legislation are the same as those funded through the agency’s FY 2017 appropriation.

On September 6, ARC announced $1.9 million in investments that will continue strengthening the economies of Appalachia’s coal-impacted communities. With these awards, ARC has now invested a total of $94 million to diversify the economies in 250 coal-impacted counties across 11 Appalachian states.