MARIETTA, Ohio, Sept. 9, 2026 — Marietta College will host the Center for Appalachian Innovation Summit: Rural Development — The Start of It All on Thursday, Sept. 24, from 8 a.m. to 3:45 p.m., on campus. The summit will focus on strengthening communities and expanding opportunities throughout Appalachian Ohio.
Rural communities across Appalachian Ohio face a complex set of challenges, including population decline, workforce shortages, aging infrastructure and barriers to attracting new investment. The event brings attendees together to learn from regional and nationally recognized leaders and successful models from across Appalachia. Through conversations and collaborative discussions, attendees will explore innovative approaches to education, entrepreneurship, workforce development, economic development and community development.
“The summit is a chance for community members, developers, legislators and educators to come together and discuss the issues facing Appalachian Ohio and, more importantly, what we can do about them,” said Michelle Jeitler, director of the Center for Appalachian Innovation, which was established to bring together faculty and student research, regional leaders and community partners to explore solutions to systemic challenges, identify new possibilities and support long-term economic growth.
“The more conversations we have and the more we learn from each other, the better chance we have of finding real solutions to some of the systemic challenges facing our region,” Jeitler added. “There are a lot of great things happening across Appalachian Ohio, and communities are already finding creative ways to address some of these challenges.”
Featured speakers at the summit include Dr. Brandon Dennison, vice president of Workforce and Economic Development at Marshall University and founder and CEO of Coalfield Development, and Jason Duff, founder and CEO of Small Nation.
Dennison’s presentation, “Unlocking Appalachia’s Full Potential, Power, and Purpose,” will explore innovation and entrepreneurship in Central Appalachia, social entrepreneurship, economic diversification, holistic workforce development and new approaches to community development.
Duff will share insights from his work leading Small Nation, where he has helped reimagine and revitalize downtown Bellefontaine, Ohio, through entrepreneurship, historic preservation, placemaking and economic development.
The summit will also feature remarks from additional distinguished speakers, a panel discussion with local experts focused on workforce and retention, along with community success stories and roundtable discussions exploring housing, community engagement, economic development and workforce development. Additionally, student fellows from the Center will be featured, highlighting the role students and emerging leaders can play in the future of the region.
The Rural Development Summit is free and open to the public. Registration is required and closes at 11:59 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 18. To register, visit marietta.givepulse.com/event/899354. For more information about the Center for Appalachian Innovation, visit marietta.edu/center-appalachian-innovation.
About Marietta College
Located in Marietta, Ohio, at the confluence of the Muskingum and Ohio rivers, Marietta College is a four-year liberal arts college with a strong focus on experiential learning, leadership, and service. Charted in 1835, the College serves approximately 1,000 full-time undergraduate and graduate students, fostering the confidence, optimism and opportunity needed to build meaningful careers and lives of purpose. Marietta College is consistently recognized among top regional colleges by U.S. News & World Report, The Princeton Review, Forbes.com, Wall Street Journal/College Pulse and other rankings. marietta.edu/rankings-success.
Rural communities across Appalachian Ohio face a complex set of challenges, including population decline, workforce shortages, aging infrastructure and barriers to attracting new investment. The event brings attendees together to learn from regional and nationally recognized leaders and successful models from across Appalachia. Through conversations and collaborative discussions, attendees will explore innovative approaches to education, entrepreneurship, workforce development, economic development and community development.
“The summit is a chance for community members, developers, legislators and educators to come together and discuss the issues facing Appalachian Ohio and, more importantly, what we can do about them,” said Michelle Jeitler, director of the Center for Appalachian Innovation, which was established to bring together faculty and student research, regional leaders and community partners to explore solutions to systemic challenges, identify new possibilities and support long-term economic growth.
“The more conversations we have and the more we learn from each other, the better chance we have of finding real solutions to some of the systemic challenges facing our region,” Jeitler added. “There are a lot of great things happening across Appalachian Ohio, and communities are already finding creative ways to address some of these challenges.”
Featured speakers at the summit include Dr. Brandon Dennison, vice president of Workforce and Economic Development at Marshall University and founder and CEO of Coalfield Development, and Jason Duff, founder and CEO of Small Nation.
Dennison’s presentation, “Unlocking Appalachia’s Full Potential, Power, and Purpose,” will explore innovation and entrepreneurship in Central Appalachia, social entrepreneurship, economic diversification, holistic workforce development and new approaches to community development.
Duff will share insights from his work leading Small Nation, where he has helped reimagine and revitalize downtown Bellefontaine, Ohio, through entrepreneurship, historic preservation, placemaking and economic development.
The summit will also feature remarks from additional distinguished speakers, a panel discussion with local experts focused on workforce and retention, along with community success stories and roundtable discussions exploring housing, community engagement, economic development and workforce development. Additionally, student fellows from the Center will be featured, highlighting the role students and emerging leaders can play in the future of the region.
The Rural Development Summit is free and open to the public. Registration is required and closes at 11:59 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 18. To register, visit marietta.givepulse.com/event/899354. For more information about the Center for Appalachian Innovation, visit marietta.edu/center-appalachian-innovation.
About Marietta College
Located in Marietta, Ohio, at the confluence of the Muskingum and Ohio rivers, Marietta College is a four-year liberal arts college with a strong focus on experiential learning, leadership, and service. Charted in 1835, the College serves approximately 1,000 full-time undergraduate and graduate students, fostering the confidence, optimism and opportunity needed to build meaningful careers and lives of purpose. Marietta College is consistently recognized among top regional colleges by U.S. News & World Report, The Princeton Review, Forbes.com, Wall Street Journal/College Pulse and other rankings. marietta.edu/rankings-success.