Partnerships for Opportunity and Workforce and Economic Revitalization Initiative

The Partnerships for Opportunity and Workforce and Economic Revitalization (POWER) Initiative targets federal resources to expand economic opportunities for coal communities.

In October 2024, ARC awarded its latest round of investments – $68.2 million to 65 projects – that will strengthen a variety of industries, including advanced manufacturing, entrepreneurship, healthcare, and workforce development, to bolster re-employment opportunities, create jobs in existing and new industries, and attract new sources of private investment in coal communities.

POWER’s Impact in Appalachia

$484.9M
Invested
564
Projects Supported
365
Coal Counties

Since 2015, ARC has invested $484.9 million in 564 projects touching 365 counties across Appalachia through the POWER Initiative. Together, these investments are projected to create or retain nearly 54,000 jobs, leverage more than $1.85 billion in additional private investment into Appalachia’s economy, and prepare nearly 170,000 workers and students for opportunities in entrepreneurship, broadband development, tourism and other industry sectors.

Investments in Action

POWER Success Stories

With ARC support, coal communities across Appalachia are strengthening their economies. Learn more about POWER investments.

Featured Resources

Evaluation

POWER Initiative Evaluations

Learn more about the results of our ongoing evaluation of the POWER Initiative, documenting successes, challenges and lessons learned from past and current grantees, as well as early impacts of the grants.

Report

An Overview of Coal and the Economy in Appalachia

This report details major trends in coal employment and production in the Appalachian Region over the past two decades. It examines where employment and production losses have been concentrated within the Region, and also what might be driving these declines.