The POWER (Partnerships for Opportunity and Workforce and Economic Revitalization) Initiative targets federal resources to help communities and regions that have been affected by job losses in coal mining, coal power plant operations, and coal-related supply chain industries due to the changing economics of America’s energy production.
ARC announced its largest POWER grant package to date in 2021. In March 2022, ARC announced another nearly $21 million for projects that will leverage entrepreneurship, workforce development, and infrastructure to bolster re-employment opportunities, create jobs in existing or new industries, and attract new sources of investment.
POWER’s Impact in Appalachia
Since 2015, ARC has invested more than $319.3 million in 395 projects touching 358 counties across Appalachia through the POWER Initiative. Together, these investments are projected to create or retain more than 36,600 jobs, leverage more than $1.5 billion in additional private investment into Appalachia’s economy, and prepare tens of thousands of workers and students for opportunities in entrepreneurship, broadband development, tourism, and other industry sectors.
Investments in Action
Youngstown Business Incubator: Elevating Entrepreneurship
Generation West Virginia: Recruiting and Retaining Young Leaders
The Kentucky Wildlands: Building a Recreation Destination
Westmoreland Community College: Teaming Up on Workforce Development
