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    HomeSparking Innovation through Entrepreneurial Ecosystems

        
      
Sparking Innovation through Entrepreneurial Ecosystems
	
	
				
	
	
	Entrepreneurship is a critical pathway to economic opportunity in Appalachia. To help entrepreneurs thrive, communities need environments that cultivate creativity, equip startups with necessary tools, and provide access to capital. Learn how ARC partners are bridging funding and resource gaps for Appalachian entrepreneurs to help them build businesses, create jobs, and ultimately improve quality of life in their communities.


	
More on Appalachia Envisioned


Spotlight Video



Featured Partners





    Abingdon, Virginia      
      Bryan Phipps

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Abingdon, Virginia                        Bryan Phipps
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            Bryan Phipps is the Senior Vice President (who will assume the office of CEO in January 2022) of People, Inc., a community action agency based in Abingdon, Virginia. In February 2019, People Inc. received an ARC POWER grant for  “New Market Tax Credit Project Growth in Appalachia.” That funding allowed them to help Russell County Industrial Development Authority create a financing package for the relocation of Polycap LLC’s entire operation from Canada to Lebanon, Virginia.
                                                                                                

Wheeling, West Virginia      
      Danny Swan

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Wheeling, West Virginia                        Danny Swan
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            Danny Swan is the co-founder of Grow Ohio Valley, which aims to build an equitable food system where farmers flourish and healthy, local food is a way of life. In February 2019, Grow OV received an ARC POWER grant to launch the Public Market, a year-round, non-profit grocery store selling natural foods from local producers.
                                                                                                

Johnstown, Pennsylvania      
      Michele Clapper

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Johnstown, Pennsylvania                        Michele Clapper
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            Michele Clapper is the Vice President of Economic Development at Johnstown Area Regional Industries (JARI). JARI uses ARC support for Startup Alleghenies, a free program in central Pennsylvania that helps aspiring entrepreneurs locate the information, tools, and connections to move their idea from vision to market when and where they need help most.


Panel Discussion



Panelists





    Moderator      
      China Riddle

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Moderator                        China Riddle
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            China Riddle is ARC’s Digital Strategist, where she leads social media strategy, content production, web projects and other initiatives to grow ARC’s digital presence. She’s worked in Washington D.C. for nearly seven years, but spent most of her life in Appalachia. As a native of Pike County, KY, a (former) coal miner’s daughter, the granddaughter of Southern West Virginians and graduate of Alice Lloyd College, China is deeply invested in helping coal communities move toward a stronger future.
                                                                                                

Pennsylvania      
      Nick Gilson

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Pennsylvania                        Nick Gilson
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            Nick Gilson is Founder and CEO of Gilson Snow, a manufacturer of snowboards and skis located in Winfield, PA. He graduated in 2011 from Johns Hopkins University with a degree in Earth & Planetary Sciences. He taught middle school science in Nashville, TN with Teach For America before launching the company out of the classroom with Austin Royer. He has received numerous awards in innovative product development and leadership and holds several snowboard and ski patents.
                                                                                                

Tennessee      
      Jim Hart

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Tennessee                        Jim Hart
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            Jim Hart is an experienced “American Heartland” entrepreneur and angel investor. He serves as Executive Director in the Appalachian Investors Alliance (AIA), and is President/CEO of HBS Group, Inc., a management consultancy helping clients maximize operational efficiencies, improve fiscal discipline, and design and implement winning sales strategies. Jim previously served as the Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice President of World Marketing Company.
                                                                                                

Ohio      
      Faith Knutsen

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Ohio                        Faith Knutsen
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            Faith Knutsen is the Director of Social Entrepreneurship and Innovation at Ohio University’s Voinovich School of Leadership & Public Service, where she is employed since 2008. She directs Ohio University’s team in the multi-party, 4-year-old ARC-sponsored Social Enterprise Ecosystem program, which brings venture development services, capital access and social impact measurement tools to social enterprises and impact funders in 15 counties of rural SE Ohio and Western West Virginia.
                                                                                                

Ohio      
      Ken Oehlers

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Ohio                        Ken Oehlers
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            Kenneth Oehlers (pronounced A-lers) is in his 11th year as Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity of Southeast Ohio. Ken has a 16 year background in growing nonprofit organizations through partnerships within communities. Before coming to Habitat for Humanity, Ken worked in marketing/sales and helped clients gain market share through creative advertising and collaboration. Ken is just as excited about working with Habitat for Humanity as the day he started!






	



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