The Institute for Public Affairs at West Virginia Universitys Eberly College of Arts and Sciences was recently awarded a $10,000 grant from the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) and the West Virginia Development Office.

The grant will enable the institute to recruit public officials from ARC -designated distressed and at-risk West Virginia counties to attend the Local Government Leadership Academy April 14-15 at the Clarion Hotel Morgan in Morgantown.

The academy will provide local government officials an opportunity to interact with WVU scholars, prominent public officials and leading practitioners who have demonstrated expertise or exceptional achievement.

It (the academy) is an excellent opportunity for West Virginias local government officials to enhance their leadership skills and network with other local officials,said Kevin Leyden, institute director.Im convinced this is an extraordinary public endeavor that really benefits the officials involved.

Participants will attend a variety of workshops on topics such as economic and community development, land-use management, grant writing, leadership skills, metro government, consolidation issues, and broadband connectivity, along with many other public policy issues important to West Virginia.

These efforts are part of a broader effort to enhance leadership and governing skills in association with the West Virginia Association of Counties, the County CommissionersAssociation of West Virginia and the West Virginia Municipal League.

Eligible public officials will be offered scholarships to attend the academy.

To qualify for scholarships, officials must be first-time attendees to the academy and be from one of the following counties: Barbour, Boone, Braxton, Calhoun, Clay, Doddridge, Fayette, Gilmer, Jackson, Lewis, Lincoln, Logan, Mason, McDowell, Mercer, Mingo, Nicholas, Pocahontas, Preston, Randolph, Ritchie, Roane, Summers, Taylor, Tucker, Tyler, Upshur, Wayne, Webster, Wetzel, Wirt, and Wyoming.

Scholarships will pay for tuition and other costs associated with attending the academy.

Those interested in participating should contact the institute at IPA @mail.wvu.edu ; or Tom Bias at 304-293-5432. Applicants should note that scholarships are limited and are offered on a first-come, first-served basis.

For more information about the academy, visithttp://www.polsci.wvu.edu/ipa/academy.html; or contact Leyden at 304-293-5432 or kleyden@wvu.edu .