WASHINGTON, D.C., September 3, 2020—Today, in recognition of National Recovery Month, the Appalachian Regional Commission issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for INvestments Supporting Partnerships In Recovery Ecosystems (INSPIRE), a $10 million initiative to address the Region’s substance abuse crisis by creating or expanding a recovery ecosystem…

On July 31, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the FY21 Energy & Water Development Appropriations bill which includes $175 million for ARC. This appropriation includes $65 million for POWER, $10 million for Substance Abuse Disorder, $10 million to continue a program of broadband deployment in distressed counties in Central…

WASHINGTON, D.C., July 7, 2020—This week, 19 rising high-school seniors from 9 Appalachian states began the Appalachian Entrepreneurship Academy (AEA)—a 12-month, free, blended learning curriculum featuring working modules led by regional experts in business planning, market analysis, product development and other entrepreneurial services. As part of the program, students will participate…

WASHINGTON, D.C., July 1, 2020—Today, the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) announced that 81 high school and middle school students and 13 high school teachers from 13 Appalachian states will participate in the 30th annual ARC/ORNL Summer STEM Program. Originally planned as residential learning experience, this program will be delivered virtually beginning…

WASHINGTON, D.C., June 30, 2020—Today, the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) welcomed the release of The Appalachian Energy and Petrochemical Renaissance: An Examination of Economic Progress and Opportunities, a new Department of Energy report on the Region’s growing shale and gas industries. Drawing on ARC data, research, and investment outcomes, the…

WASHINGTON, D.C., June 10, 2020—Today, the Appalachian Regional Commission released The Appalachian Region: A Data Overview from the 2014–2018 American Community Survey, also known as “The Chartbook.” Drawing from the American Community Survey and comparable Census Population Estimates available as of 2018, the data predates the COVID-19 crisis. The report…

WASHINGTON, D.C., May 11, 2020—Today, the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) announced a $3.75 million grant to Appalachian Community Capital (ACC) for the ARC-ACC Emergency Business Response Assistance Program to strengthen and stabilize the Region’s Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) and other mission-driven development finance lenders serving small businesses impacted by COVID-19…

WASHINGTON, D.C., April 16, 2020—Today, the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) announced an investment of $300,000 to The Industrial Commons, in Morganton, North Carolina, to purchase materials and coordinate staff to manufacture needed medical safety gear to fulfill product demand across the Appalachian Region and the nation. The Industrial Commons,…

WASHINGTON, D.C., April 13, 2020—Today, the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) began accepting applications for the second class of the Appalachian Leadership Institute, a leadership and economic development training opportunity for community leaders who currently live and/or work in Appalachia. The Appalachian Leadership Institute is an extensive nine-month program focusing on skill-building,…

WASHINGTON, D.C., March 26, 2020—Today, the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) announced announced two new tools documenting the spread of COVID-19 at the regional and county levels. The first tool, the COVID-19 Cases in Appalachia map, displays the current number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Appalachia, and throughout the…

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…

On February 19, 2020, ARC announced that Philip M. Heneghan has been appointed ARC Inspector General and will head the Agency’s Office of Inspector General (OIG).

On February 12, 2020, ARC announced $3.3 million in investments to continue supporting economic diversification in the Region’s coal-impacted communities through the POWER (Partnerships for Opportunity and Workforce and Economic Revitalization) Initiative.

President Trump’s FY 2021 Budget Proposal, released on February 10, 2020, includes $165 million for ARC.

ARC is accepting applications for the Appalachian Entrepreneurship Academy (AEA) in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and for the ARC/ORNL Summer STEM Program in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. Each program is a free immersive learning experience specifically for the Region’s high school and/or middle school students, and includes room and board, transportation, activity fees,…