ASHLAND, Ky., July 18, 2023— Today, the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) Federal Co-Chair Gayle Manchin and ARC States’ Co-Chair Governor Andy Beshear of Kentucky announced more than $5 million to help Kentucky’s flood-impacted communities recover and rebuild. They also announced that registration is now officially open for ARC’s 2023 Annual Conference, “Appalachia Rises©: Resilience, Strength, & Transformation,” September 11-12 in Ashland, Kentucky, which will feature University of Kentucky men’s basketball coach John Calipari as keynote speaker.
With a special focus on the importance of resiliency and collaboration in the region, the ARC 2023 Annual Conference will feature partners from across Appalachia who work daily to strengthen communities by creating and expanding infrastructure, workforce development, growing sectors like outdoor recreation, developing entrepreneurs, and building leadership and community capacity.
“Appalachians know that helping our neighbors is a vital and sustaining part of living in our region. As such, ARC is proud to partner with Kentucky to award these grants to our Eastern Kentucky communities to aid in the rebuilding process following last year’s devastating and historic flooding. They serve as a great example of how we work with our state partners to help communities recover and rebuild,” said ARC Federal Co-Chair Gayle Manchin. “We also recognize the resilience of these communities, and look forward to celebrating and learning from them in Ashland this fall at our ARC 2023 Annual Conference.”
“We’ve promised to be there for Eastern Kentucky until every structure, home and life is rebuilt,” said ARC 2023 States’ Co-Chair, Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear. “Housing is our top priority, and the ARC has been an incredible partner to Kentucky as we recover. Our friends at ARC are always welcome in Kentucky, and we look forward to an amazing conference in September. We’re going to show off everything that makes Kentucky, and Eastern Kentucky, so special.”
About the ARC Flood Recovery Grants:
- Perry County’s Sky View Housing Utilities Project: The $4.4 million ARC investment will bring water and sewer service to the future Sky View Lane housing development in Perry County. In the initial phase of this project, 153 homes will be built to replace homes that were lost during the historic July 2022 flooding.
- Letcher County’s Marlowe Rd. Water & Wastewater Project: The $996,972 ARC investment will install water and sewer service to a new high-ground community in Letcher County. The project will install 1,900 feet of waterline and 5,500 feet of sewer line, serving 10 new homes.
ARC plans to announce additional investments in the region during the 2023 Annual Conference, September 11-12 in Ashland, Kentucky. Learn more about the conference and register.
About the Appalachian Regional Commission
The Appalachian Regional Commission is an economic development entity of the federal government and 13 state governments focusing on 423 counties across the Appalachian Region. ARC’s mission is to innovate, partner, and invest to build community capacity and strengthen economic growth in Appalachia to help the Region achieve socioeconomic parity with the nation.