BALTIMORE, MD (September 30, 2019) – Andrew Sargent, the Maryland Department of Commerce’s Senior Business Development Representative for the Western Maryland region, has been named a member of the inaugural class of the Appalachian Leadership Institute developed by the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC).
Sargent will work directly with public policy, community development, education, investment, and other professionals who live and/or work in the region to:
- Design effective economic development project proposals
- Integrate community assets into long-lasting economic development strategies
- Identify resources available to spur economic development
- Locate and access investment capital from a variety of public and private sources
- Prepare competitive applications for public grant opportunities
- Use expanded leadership skills to create strong coalitions
“Maryland Commerce is very proud to have Andrew as our state's representative at this Institute," said Maryland Commerce Secretary Kelly M. Schulz. "Andrew has a deep understanding of the opportunities and challenges this area faces, and will do a great job identifying ways we can further grow the Appalachian region."
“I am honored to represent Maryland and look forward to sharing ideas and best practices as we work to enhance the economic potential of the Appalachian region,” Sargent said. "Being a part of this Institute will also be important for the counties I work with every day - Washington, Allegany, and Garrett - as we discuss new ways to attract businesses to the area and support our existing ones.”
Sargent will participate in an extensive nine-month program of skill-building seminars, best practice reviews, field visits, mentoring, and networking. The curriculum will be anchored by six multi-day seminars around the region with graduation in Washington, D.C. in July 2020. Upon completion of the program, Sargent will automatically become part of the Appalachian Leadership Institute Network, a peer-to-peer working group committed to Appalachia’s future.
“Our hope is that the Appalachian Leadership Institute will help develop leadership and problem solving, bring advancement, and grow greater prosperity in the region,” said ARC Federal Co-Chairman Tim Thomas. “Leadership is the essential foundation on which all of our collective efforts to enhance Appalachia rest.”
Sargent is one of two Marylanders chosen for the program. Jennifer Walsh, executive director of the Greater Cumberland Committee, was also selected to participate.
The Institute was developed by the Appalachian Regional Commission in partnership with the University of Tennessee, Knoxville; The Howard H. Baker Center for Public Policy; Tuskegee University; and Collective Impact. More information about the Appalachian Leadership Institute is available at
www.arc.gov/leadershipinstitute.
About the Appalachian Regional Commission
The Appalachian Regional Commission (
www.arc.gov) is an economic development agency of the federal government and 13 state governments focusing on 420 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.
