ARC Conference Opens at Davis Wade

Three people pose together on a football field in front of a large video screen displaying “Mississippi State” and a concert performance labeled “Appalachia Builds.”

Mississippi State University President Mark E. Keenum, left, welcomed Appalachian Regional Commission Co-Chair Gayle Manchin and State Co-Chair Governor Tate Reeves to Davis Wade Stadium for ARC’s 2026 Annual Conference Opening Event. Over 350 people from the 13-state region meet in early June to discuss economic and workforce development and building strong infrastructure.