FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:

Maria Smith at 614-466-6619
or Stacie Noel at 614-644-0247

AVIATION AND TECHNOLOGY THE FOCUS OF 2003 ‘ALL TRANSPORTATION COUNTS’ CONFERENCE

COLUMBUS — The Ohio Department of Development’s Governor’s Office of Appalachia and Ohio University (O.U.) will present the 2003 All Transportation Counts (ATC) economic development conference. The conference will be held October 7-8 in Athens, with sites at the Ohio University Airport and O.U.’s Baker Center.

Ron Starner, publisher of Site Selection Magazine, leads a wide list of nationally-recognized speakers and experts who will share information on the latest ideas, innovations and new technologies found in Ohio’s Appalachian region. Successful business leaders will reveal how advancements in aviation facilities and support for technology infrastructure improvements have contributed to the success of their companies.

State and local leaders participating include: State Development Director Bruce Johnson; State Transportation Director Gordon Proctor; Board of Regents Chancellor Roderick Chu; Ohio Department of Administrative Services Assistant Director Greg Jackson; and Ohio University President, Dr. Robert Glidden.

The ATC conference will feature discussions that are designed to assist participants in planning future aviation investment, the effects of aviation on economic development, technology infrastructure and creative ways to market their businesses and communities. Additional conference activities include:

“100 Years of Flight” Conference Takeoff will be held at the recently-expanded Ohio University Airport, which is regarded as one of the top aviation facilities in the region. Attendees will tour the airport grounds and participate in a networking reception

Technology Tours will offer participants the opportunity to visit some of the area’s high-tech companies and leading-edge university research facilities, including Ohio University’s new Innovation Center.

AppalachianOhio.com, the most comprehensive Web portal site to the Ohio Appalachian region will be showcased. Constructed by O.U.’s Appalachian Regional Entrepreneurship Initiative, the site connects Ohio’s Appalachian region to the world in thematic components of economic development, workforce connectivity, community development and tourism.

Additional ATC planning partners include: the Appalachian Regional Commission, the Ohio Rail Development Commission and the Ohio Department of Transportation.

For more information about All Transportation Counts 2003, contact the Governor’s Office of Appalachia, 77 S. High St. – 24th Floor, PO Box 1001, Columbus, Ohio 43215. Phone: 800-848-1300 or 614-644-9228. Fax: 614-752-5006. E-mail: GOA@odod.state.oh.us.

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