ARC’s POWER Initiative

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.

In September 2021, ARC announced its largest POWER grant package to date, which 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

$287.8+

Invested

362

Projects Supported

353

Coal-Impacted Communities

Since 2015, ARC has invested over $287.8 million in 362 projects touching 353 counties across Appalachia through the POWER Initiative. Together, these investments are projected to create or retain nearly 35,000 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. POWER investments also support workforce-to-recovery and other comprehensive strategies to strengthen the Region’s Recovery Ecosystem.

Press Release

POWER 2021 Announcement

In September 2021, ARC announced its largest POWER package to date – nearly $46.4 million for 57 projects across 184 counties to support economic diversification in the Region’s coal-impacted communities.

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Report

The POWER of Change

ARC has partnered with Chamberlin/Dunn LLC, a third-party research firm, to monitor, analyze, and evaluate POWER investments. A new report found that projects funded through POWER grants met or exceeded targets for jobs retained and/or created, businesses created, workers trained, and revenues increased.

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