Public officials, development experts, as well as business and organizational leaders from around the southern part of the state will convene at Ohio University in Athens next month, that for a conference designed to foster collaboration and share innovation in Ohio's Appalachian region. Infrastructure-related topics, such as transportation, along with workforce innovations, clean water initiatives and broadband development will all be a part of the three-day session. The conference will feature more than 20 speakers from the Appalachian Drinking Water Initiative, Hocking Athens Perry Community Action (HAPCAP), Meigs Industrial Park, Muskingum County Industrial Business Park, Ohio Development Services Agency, Ohio Means Jobs, Survivor Advocacy Outreach Program, the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund, and Youngstown SMART2 Network from the Eastgate Regional Council of Governments, among others.