Appalachian commission meets at WCU

Chancellor John W. Bardo (right) meets with N.C. Gov. Beverly Perdue and Congressman Heath Shuler after the Aug. 4 press conference.

Western Carolina University Chancellor John W. Bardo welcomed members of the Appalachian Regional Commission, N.C. Gov. Beverly Perdue, Congressman Heath Shuler and a host of other officials to campus Wednesday (Aug. 4) for the formal announcement of a workforce training grant for area community colleges.

Bardo presided over an afternoon press conference in the theater of WCU’s A.K. Hinds University Center as Perdue, Shuler and ARC Federal Co-Chair Earl F. Gohl announced a $300,000 grant to assist three community colleges – Southwestern, Haywood and Tri-County – in developing a green workforce training program.

Earlier in the day, Bardo spoke to members of ARC’s policy development committee as they met for a work session at the University Center, telling the group about WCU’s efforts in engaging students and faculty in service to the region and in developing public and private partnerships to boost the local economy.

“We really appreciate the hard work the commission has accomplished over the years. Your mission and ours are very similar,” Bardo said.

The ARC is a regional economic development agency involving federal, state and local governments in the mountainous regions of 13 Eastern states, including North Carolina.

ARC Executive Director Thomas M. Hunter thanked Bardo and WCU for hosting the group’s meeting and press conference. Bardo “has been a friend of the commission for a long time,” Hunter said. “I’ve always been impressed by the vision and energy he brings to his job.”