U.S. Rep. Nick J. Rahall (D-WV) today urged the Economic Development, Public Buildings and Emergency Management Subcommittee to reauthorize the Appalachian Regional Commission, stressing the organization's importance to southern West Virginia's communities.

"Every one of the southern West Virginia counties I represent is encompassed by the Appalachian Regional Commission and ARC support is critical to our communities' livelihood and well-being," Rahall said.

In his remarks submitted during the Committee's reauthorization hearing on Wednesday, Rahall applauded the ARC's past accomplishments in the area of transportation, including its work on the Appalachian Development Highway System, and pointed to the similar role the ARC will play in the development of West Virginia's tech revolution.

"As much as the United States has been able to take advantage of the technological boom of the late 20th and early 21st Centuries, Appalachia is once again in danger of being left behind and unable to compete in the global marketplace," Rahall said. "Again, ARC is there to offer significant support, bringing broadband access to our communities, which is essential to leveling the playing field and giving our communities an opportunity to compete. Schools, business, local governments and individual homes all have benefited from ARC involvement in the expansion of broadband access in Appalachia and continue to do so."

Rahall has worked with ARC, private telecommunications companies and local development leaders to bring broadband technology to southern West Virginia. Through the e-commerce training initiatives being offered by ARC and others, local small businesses are being connected to broadband, opening doors to Internet sales and services that weren't available as recently as a few years ago.

"It's ARC's ability to serve its mission by adapting its actions to fit the times that makes ARC such an invaluable resource to Appalachia and the Nation," Rahall said. "From the Appalachian Development Highway System to the e-commerce and broadband initiatives, ARC continues to serve its mission by advocating for and partnering with the people of Appalachia to create opportunities for self-sustaining economic development and improved quality of life."

In addition to his push for reauthorization, Rahall also commended Federal Co-Chair and native daughter of Appalachia Anne Pope, for her successful execution of the mission of ARC.

"I have said this before and am happy to do so again on the record, Anne is one of the finest Federal Co-Chairs to ever serve the people of Appalachia and I look forward to our continued strong relationship serving the needs of southern West Virginians, together," Rahall said.

For more than 40 years, the Appalachian Regional Commission has been charged by Congress with helping bring Appalachia's 410 counties and their 23 million people into socioeconomic parity with the rest of the nation. The Commission represents a vital partnership between the federal government and the 13 Appalachian states.