March 2, 2022–10:27 p.m.

DOUG WALKER (CITY OF ROME)

The Appalachian Regional Commission visited Rome Wednesday to tour the Northwest Georgia Regional Hospital campus and discuss local economic development.

The delegation included Federal Co-chair of the ARC Gayle Manchin, who is the wife of US Senator Joe Manchin (D) of West Virginia; Brandon McBride, ARC Executive Director and four other ARC staffers.

They met with Rome Sammy Rich, Rome-Floyd Development Authority President and CEO Missy Kendrick and other local leaders.

Referring to ARC grants to local communities, Manchin said “We become part of a partnership”

Of Rome specifically she said it was great “to see people exemplifying or mission,” while speaking of the city leveraging grant money with local and ‘other’ funding such as the $600,000 for River District streetscape with SPLOST money and Four Stones redevelopment.

Guy Land, ARC Congressional liaison said “I’m ecstatic to hear you’ve moved forward with the acquisition (of the hospital property) and I applaud your persistence.”

Kendrick hinted strongly that the community would be seeking grant assistance for work at the regional hospital campus.