National Association of Regional Councils

• About NARC
  • 1.1: About Us
  • 1.2: Vision and Mission
  • 1.3: Board of Directors
  • 1.4: Executive Directors
  • 1.5: Regional Futures Institute
  • 1.6: NARC Services
  • 1.7: NARC History
  • 1.8: NARC Staff
  • 1.9: FAQ
  • 1.10: Join NARC
  • 1.11: Become a Sponsor
  • 1.12: Job Opportunities
• Activities
  • 3.1: Development
  • 3.2: Environment
  • 3.3: Homeland Security
  • 3.5: Transportation
• Regional Councils/MPOs
  • 4.1: What is a Regional Council?
  • 4.2: What is a Metropolitan Planning Organization?
  • 4.3: Listing of COGs and MPOs
• Government Affairs
  • 5.1: Legislative Information
  • 5.2: Policy Statements and Testimony
  • 5.3: Legislative Tracking and Links
  • 5.5: Legislative Updates
• Events
  • 9.1: Conferences
  • 9.2: Telecasts
  • 9.3: Workshops
  • 9.4: Development Symposia
• Resource Center
  • 10.1: Publications
  • 10.2: Press
  • 10.3: What's News
  • 10.4: Visiting Washington?
  • 10.6: H-1B Visa Information Page
  • 10.7: Regional Council Graduate Course
• Job Postings
  • 11.1: Job Postings
• 19: Members Only
  • 19.1: Member Update
  • 19.2: Vendor Specials
  • 19.3: Calendar of Events
  • 19.4: Technology
  • 19.5: Maps
  • 19.6: Mentor Exchange
  • 19.7: Members In the News
  • 19.8: The Learning Series

Rural Award

The Green River Area Development District (GRADD) was named Rural Achievement Award winner by the National Association of Regional Councils (NARC) during NARC’s 40th Annual Conference and Exhibition.

The award recognized the RealLife Youth Program, which assists 17- to 21-year old college bound high school graduates or GED recipients prepare for the world of work. Recognizing the need for the youth to acquire occupational skills to be competitive and productive in today’s work environment, GRADD, using Federal dollars from the Workforce Investment Act, launched RealLife to serve seven counties in Kentucky. Within a year of its launch, it has already helped 89 young people throughout the region.

The program focuses on individual-based opportunities, work maturity skills, financial assistance, self-sufficiency and paid actual work experience. It gives young people the opportunity to explore a variety of careers and to make informed decisions about the paths they choose to take, knowing the aptitude required to perform the work firsthand. Scholarships for post-secondary education are provided in fields that have a proven demand. This builds confidence, commitment and their chances of future long-term employment, as well as promotes the local economy.

“GRADD has recruited individuals who are in most financial need and are least likely to have other support systems in place. With the support we are getting from local elected officials, area chambers of commerce, local employers, and the youth participants themselves, success is inevitable,” said Jiten Shah, GRADD Executive Director. “A lot of research, creativity and cooperation was put into this program for it to become a reality -- a reality of hope to the young people in our region,” he added.

The annual achievement award recognizes programs that exemplify regional cooperation, coordination and excellence and that have sought the involvement of private and civic sectors. GRADD competed with other regional planning organizations from around the country who serve regional communities with a population of 250,000 or less.