The Appalachian Gateway Communities Initiative (AGCI) – offered by The Conservation Fund in partnership with the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) and the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) – are pleased to announce the 2022 Training Program for Appalachian Gateway Communities. Select community-based teams from gateway communities located in the Appalachian Region will participate in a 3-day in-person workshop October 25-27, 2022 in Lake Junaluska NC and pre- and post-workshop webinars. The training program will focus on the specific trends and opportunities in Appalachian gateway communities related to sustainable drivers for economic development, including how to leverage natural & cultural assets, revitalize downtowns, promote arts and culture opportunities, build cultural heritage & natural resource tourism, and create lasting economic opportunity.

The program fee is $550/team, and teams must be located within an Appalachian county in ARC’s footprint (priority will be given to teams representing at least 1 county classified as distressed or at-risk by ARC. Deadline to submit a letter of interest is July 25th, and the final application deadline is August 22nd.