HUNTINGTON, W.Va. -- Job creation in southern West Virginia is the focus of a discussion in Huntington that will bring together federal and regional officials.

U.S. Rep. Nick Rahall will be joined by federal agriculture and commerce officials on Tuesday at a discussion promoted by the Appalachian Regional Commission. The roundtable will also celebrate two West Virginia initiatives that are intended to create rural employment opportunities.

The Southern West Virginia Rural Jobs Accelerator received federal funding totaling $717,895, while the West Virginia Value Chain Cluster Initiative was awarded $815,000 in federal dollars.

Sponsors of the roundtable say it is intended to acquaint federal officials with the economic challenges and opportunities to be found in West Virginia. It is scheduled for the Robert C. Byrd Institute.