The East Kentucky Leadership Conference celebrated its 30th anniversary with a keynote speech from Earl Gohl, federal co-chair of the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) for the past 7 years. Since 2015 ARC has awarded $92 million through the POWER Initiative to help coal-impacted communities in 250 Appalachian counties diversify and grow their economies. Gohl said that because people have overcome differences and come together to revitalize the region, Appalachia is the next great investment opportunity. Peter Hille, Executive Director of the Mountain Association of Community Economic Development (MACED), introduced Gohl and praised the ARC as partners sharing the vision of a bright future for Appalachia.