Marietta College President Kathleen Dougherty speaks about what the launch of the Center for Appalachian Innovation will mean for the future of Appalachian Ohio at the launch ceremony Monday. (Photo by Amber Phipps)

Marietta College announced the launch of the Center for Appalachian Innovation with a ceremony open to the public on Monday.

Government leaders, business owners, college faculty and students gathered at the Dyson Baudo Recreation Center to hear from those who made the center into a reality.

“Marietta College has long been known in our community for its academic excellence and for its legacy service,” said Ohio Sen. Brian Chavez. “The Center for Appalachian Innovation is just another example of this institution’s dedication to bettering this part of the state.”

Chavez said this community-based center will help impact the area and also keep legislators involved in the needs of the community.

“The industries that were once the backbone of our region are necessarily evolving and the Center of Appalachian Innovation will play a key role in exploring how we can reinvigorate and develop these industries with new ideas and inventive approaches,” he said.

Lawmakers, business owners, students, faculty and local government leaders gather at the Dyson Baudo Recreation Center to celebrate the launch of the Center for Appalachian Innovation on Monday. (Photo by Amber Phipps)

Funded by the State of Ohio’s Priority Projects Line Item, the innovation center is anticipated to encourage growth economically and in terms of community engagement. The center will provide a space of research to investigate systemic regional challenges as well as provide opportunities to support the region through government and business.

In February 2024, Chavez announced the $85 million in funding for the program which furthers a wide range of community-focused services and workforce development.

The center will focus on outreach and identifying the systemic regional challenges in the area with annual appropriations of $750,000 for two years.

Ohio House Rep. Kevin Ritter said the center will further shape the region and provide a more unified community.

“From the beginning, it was clear that if our work in the legislature was to be successful and lasting, we would need a place right here in our region devoted to thoughtful research, sound policy development and collaboration across communities,” said Ritter.

The chorus Floodstage directed by R. Scott Reider performs “Feel it Still” by Portugal for the audience at Marietta College on Monday. (Photo by Amber Phipps)

The center will work on grant writing, access to resources, and further research to advance the area in various ways of growth such as economics and innovation.

The center also further bridges the partnership between Marietta College and the community of Washington County to strive towards better serving the area.

“It will bring together lawmakers, community and business leaders, educators and students to look squarely at our region’s needs from economic development and health care access to infrastructure and energy,” said Ritter.

Marietta College President Dr. Kathleen Dougherty spoke about what the center means for the college, the community, and the future of the county.

“By generating data-driven research, convening regional stakeholders and building capacity for small businesses and local government, the center will ensure that innovative ideas emerging from Appalachian Ohio are developed into actionable strategies that make their region more competitive, resilient, and prosperous,” said Dougherty.

Ohio Sen. Brian Chavez shares his remarks about the Center for Appalachian Innovation’s formal launch at Marietta College on Monday. (Photo by Amber Phipps)

She said the center will equip graduates from Marietta College with the skills they need to be able to address regional challenges and overcome those obstacles.

“By shaping partnerships with government and industry, we connect our students to our region,” she said. “We introduce local businesses and government to their future workforce and we strengthen the economic outlook of Appalachian Ohio.”

MC student Kianna O’Brien is a finance and economics student and said she’s excited to turn ideas into real solutions for the area.

“As a finance and economic student, I’ve come to understand how data-driven decision making, strategic investment, and effective policy can transform communities,” she said. “These fields teach me how resources move, how incentives shape outcomes and how economic systems can either limit or unlock potential.”

O’Brien said the innovation center will not only strengthen the economy in the area but it will provide solutions for a more sustainable future.

Ohio House Rep. Kevin Ritter talks about what the Center for Appalachian Innovation means for the future of the community and Marietta College during the formal launch on Monday. (Photo by Amber Phipps)

Visit https://www.marietta.edu/center-appalachian-innovation for more information about Marietta College and the Center for Appalachian Innovation.

Amber Phipps can be reached at aphipps@newsandsentinel.com