The concept of Area Development Districts (ADDs) originated in Kentucky in the early 1960s with the establishment of Area Development Councils. These Councils were organized in all counties and ultimately became the model for Area Development authorization in landmark federal acts such as the Appalachian Regional Development Act led by Kentuckian John Whisman and the Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965. The fifteen Area Development Districts were formed during the period that followed, 1966 to 1972.