Investments in Action

Every year, ARC investments support hundreds of economic development projects benefiting Appalachia’s 423 counties. Projects align with one of five goals outlined in our current Strategic Plan. The resulting investments ultimately help Appalachian communities address economic disparity and advance prosperity.

Explore stories from ARC projects and partners across the Appalachian Region.

Maryland, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia

Catalyst Connection: Bringing a New Energy to Northern Appalachia

ARC’s Appalachian Regional Initiative for Stronger Economies (ARISE) is a funding opportunity driving large-scale, regional economic transformation through multi-state collaborative projects. Launched in 2022 using funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) ARISE is strengthening Appalachian businesses and industries, and supporting the…

North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee

Industrial Commons: Going Green to Revitalize Southern Appalachian Textile Manufacturing

ARC’s Appalachian Regional Initiative for Stronger Economies (ARISE) is a funding opportunity driving large-scale, regional economic transformation through multi-state collaborative projects. Launched in 2022 using funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, ARISE is strengthening Appalachian businesses and industries, and supporting the development of new opportunities across…

North Carolina

Southwestern Commission: Creating Space for Western North Carolina Food Entrepreneurs

BIL funds are allowing the Western North Carolina farmers market construct a training facility that will serve 1,100 food producers.

Maryland

Allegany, Garrett

Western Maryland: Elevating the Outdoors

Two Appalachian Maryland counties used BIL funds to expand outdoor recreation by attracting new businesses and more visitors.

Ohio

Athens

Buckeye Hills Regional Council: Making Community Visions a Reality in Ohio

Buckeye Hills Regional Council is using BIL funds to help the City of Athens revitalize historic buildings to meet community needs.

Kentucky

Knott

Hindman, KY: Overcoming Challenges and Upgrading Water Services

Using BIL funds, the City of Hindman was able to overcome cost barriers to critical water system upgrades.

West Virginia

Mountwest Community & Technical College: Constructing a Greener Future in WV

ARC’s POWER Initiative has invested millions to connect Appalachia’s students and workers with careers in emerging, high-growth industries – one of which is construction. This sector is struggling to find qualified workers to keep up with increasing demand. Furthermore, Appalachian communities continue to be faced with the lack of…

Pennsylvania

Appalachian Pennsylvania: $17.3 Million Awarded for Coal Community Revitalization

Since 2015, ARC’s POWER Initiative has invested millions in projects working to create jobs, fuel new industries, and prepare students and workers for new opportunities in coal-impacted communities. ARC’s largest single POWER funding package to date was awarded in October 2023, with one state receiving an…

Kentucky, North Carolina, Ohio, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia

Central Appalachia: Increasing Capital Access in Coal Communities

ARC POWER partners are using millions to make financial resources accessible for coal-impacted communities.

Pennsylvania

Tri-County Workforce Investment Board: Creating PA’s Semi-Conductor Workforce

Tri-County Workforce Investment Board is partnering with Steamfitters Local Union 449 (see video above) to offer free training for over 500 participants at its Technology Center in Harmony, PA. ARC’s POWER Initiative has invested millions to connect students and workers in coal-impacted communities with in-demand, high-growth industries. One such…

West Virginia

New Vision Renewable Energy: Empowering West Virginia’s At-Risk Youth

Since 2007, the number of children placed in foster care due to parental substance use disorder (SUD) has risen by 53%, per the Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System. As with other SUD-related issues, this trend is disproportionately higher in Appalachian counties, such as Barbour County, West Virginia,…

Mississippi

MagCor Industries: Expanding Mississippi’s Recovery Ecosystem

In Appalachian Mississippi’s 24 counties, the manufacturing, transportation, and logistics sectors have major potential to create new workforce opportunities – especially for individuals in recovery from substance use disorder (SUD). However, the region is lacking local capacity to launch a coordinated, comprehensive recovery ecosystem to help these populations successfully access…

Kentucky, Ohio

Shawnee State University: Building a Behavioral Health Workforce

With support from ARC’s INSPIRE initiative, many Appalachian communities are addressing substance use disorder (SUD) by bolstering recovery-to-work programs and related support services. Portsmouth, Ohio and the surrounding area – which includes both Southern Ohio and several counties in north central Appalachian Kentucky – is no…

South Carolina

Cherokee, Pickens, Union

South Carolina Office of Rural Health: Dreaming Up New Recovery Solutions 

Recovering from Substance Use Disorder (SUD) can be a vicious cycle, especially when it comes to accessing the treatment and support services needed to successfully secure meaningful employment. Furthermore, it’s not just an individual who feels these effects, but entire communities. In upstate South Carolina, public services in Cherokee,…

Alabama

Jefferson

Jefferson State Community College: Driving Student Success

Located in and around the ‘Magic City’ of Birmingham, Alabama, Jefferson State Community College (JSCC) campuses serve more than 15,000 students each year – over half of whom are first-generation college students. JSCC provides more than 33 certificates and training programs in a wide range of industries, including manufacturing,…

Appalachian Regional Commission