Plan to join Appalachian commission advances

YOUNGSTOWN -- A plan to add Mahoning, Trumbull, Ashtabula and Fayette counties to the Appalachian Regional Commission took another step forward.
The U.S. House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure approved a bill adding the four counties to the commission by voice vote Wednesday. The bill now moves to the House floor.
Joining the commission could make the counties eligible for millions in federal aid. The commission provides money to distressed communities in the Appalachian Mountain region. The commission includes 410 counties in 13 states, including Columbiana County in Ohio, and Mercer and Lawrence counties in Pennsylvania.