Entire Region

ARC Unveils New 2022-2026 Strategic Plan During Annual Conference in St. Paul, Virginia

Incorporating feedback from over 1,800 Appalachian stakeholders, the new strategic plan provides a roadmap for accelerating economic growth in the Region.     St. Paul, Va., October 6, 2021—Today, during the opening plenary of the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC)’s annual conference in St. Paul, Virginia, Federal Co-Chair Gayle Manchin provided a preview of ARC’s new 2022-2026 Strategic Plan. The strategic plan, Appalachia Envisioned: A New Era of Opportunity, is…

Entire Region

Appalachian Regional Commission Launches: “Envision Appalachia: Community Conversations for ARC’s New Strategic Plan”

Virtual discussion series will gather input to inform ARC’s strategic investment plan for fiscal years 2022-2026 Washington, D.C., March 9, 2021 – Today, Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) announced Envision Appalachia: Community Conversations for ARC’s Strategic Plan, a virtual series of public input sessions to identify critical opportunities and challenges…

ARC Launches “Envision Appalachia: Community Conversations for ARC’s New Strategic Plan”

On February 26, ARC announced Envision Appalachia: Community Conversations for ARC’s Strategic Plan, a series of public input sessions to identify critical opportunities and challenges facing Appalachia’s economic future. Using insights gathered from these public sessions, coupled with guidance from regional, state, and local partners, ARC will develop a strategic…

Appalachian Regional Commission Strategic Plan: Synthesis Report

In the Spring of 2021, the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC), in partnership with Maher & Maher, embarked on a series of stakeholder engagement activities. The purpose was to gather input regarding the strengths, challenges, and opportunities facing the Region, along with ideas for strategies and solutions to advance economic prosperity.

• Research Report

Appalachia Envisioned: ARC’s 2022-2026 Strategic Plan

Throughout 2021, ARC hosted community conversations, focus groups, and a public survey to gather input and affirm an investment framework to meet Appalachia’s economic needs. Approximately 2,000 participants shared insights on the strengths, challenges, and opportunities facing communities, along with ideas to advance economic prosperity. This feedback has been…

Appalachian Regional Commission to Launch Virtual “Roadshow” Series to Showcase Impact of Strategic Investments in Appalachian Communities

Launching March 1, the Virtual Event Series Will Feature Governors, Community Members, and Economic Development Professionals Highlighting Workforce Development WASHINGTON, D.C., February 10, 2022—Following the reveal of its new 2022–2026 strategic plan, “Appalachia Envisioned,” the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) will embark on a virtual event series…

Envision Appalachia: Community Conversations for ARC’s New Strategic Plan

Hundreds of Appalachians participated in Envision Appalachia: Community Conversations for ARC’s Strategic Plan, a series of virtual public input sessions and focus groups to identify critical opportunities and challenges facing Appalachia’s economic future. Using insights gathered from these public sessions, coupled with 1,250 responses to our public survey and guidance…

Tracy City, Tennessee: A Dream Come True

In 2017, the team from Tracy City, Tennessee, attended the Ringgold, Georgia, workshop with a dream for their community: to build desperately-needed safe gathering places for citizens, especially families. The team represented a small, particularly disadvantaged town in an economically distressed county that generally lacked critical community assets, especially…

150 Appalachian Students Participate in Appalachian Teaching Project Conference in Washington, D.C.

Supported by ARC and organized by ETSU's Center for Appalachian Studies and Services, ATP helps student participants cultivate leadership and public policy skills and strengthen their research skills. For 2016, students' ATP research reflects key themes in ARC’s strategic investment plan, including natural and cultural asset development, downtown revitalization, leadership…

Appalachian Regional Commission Welcomes Brandon McBride As New Executive Director

WASHINGTON, D.C., November 12, 2020 – Today, the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) announced that Brandon McBride will join the Agency as ARC’s Executive Director. As the Executive Director, McBride will lead the administrative, programmatic, and fiscal management of ARC to ensure that the organization’s structure, budget, and programs support…

Appalachian Regional Commission Releases FY 2017 State-by-State Investment Overview

In February 2018, ARC released a state-by-state overview of the Commission’s fiscal year 2017 economic development investments in the Appalachian Region. The overview includes 13 state investment fact sheets, as well as a companion fact sheet outlining ARC’s regional investments during the fiscal year.

North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper to Serve as 2019 Appalachian Regional Commission States’ Co-Chair

Chosen by his fellow Appalachian governors to serve as the Commission's 2019 states' co-chair, Cooper will work directly with the ARC federal co-chair in this leadership role to continue the agency's commitment to economic growth in the 13-state Appalachian Region.

Appalachian Regional Commission’s $125.6 Million Investments Made During FY 18 to Attract $1.5 Billion in LPI and Create/Retain 26,600 Jobs Region Wide

In February 2019, ARC released a state-by-state overview of the Commission’s fiscal year 2018 economic development investments in the Appalachian Region. The overview includes 13 state investment fact sheets, as well as a companion fact sheet outlining ARC’s regional investments during the fiscal year.

ARC Announces Substance Abuse Advisory Council

ARC announced the formation of the Substance Abuse Advisory Council (SAAC), a 24-member volunteer advisory group of leaders from law enforcement, recovery services, health, economic development, private industry, education, state government and other sectors. The SAAC will develop recommendations for ARC to consider as part of a strategic plan to…

ARC Project Guidelines

The guidelines set forth the criteria for approval of ARC projects reflecting the requirements of the Appalachian Regional Development Act of 1965 (ARDA), as amended, the ARC Code, and the provisions of the ARC Strategic Plan.