North Carolina

Rainbow over Fontana Lake
North Carolina

North Carolina

Our Work In North Carolina Investment Priorities In Fiscal Year 2023, ARC and the North Carolina Department of Commerce partnered on the following investments and projects. Investment Snapshot Counties in Appalachia (31 out of 100 counties): Alexander, Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Buncombe, Burke, Caldwell, Catawba, Cherokee, Clay, Cleveland, Davie, Forsyth, Graham,…
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North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper
North Carolina

Governor Roy Cooper

Governor Roy Cooper was sworn in as North Carolina’s 75th Governor in January 2017 with three decades in public service protecting families, keeping communities safe, and working to create jobs and improve schools. As the son of a school teacher, education and workforce development are among his top priorities. With…
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Jim McCleskey, North Carolina Governor's Alternate
North Carolina

Jim McCleskey

Jim McCleskey’s roots in North Carolina’s Appalachian region go back to colonial days. He was appointed in 1999 as Director of the North Carolina Washington Office and as ARC Alternate by Governor James B. Hunt Jr. and was reappointed by Governors Michael F. Easley in 2001, Beverly Eaves Perdue in…
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North Carolina

Buncombe

Land of Sky Regional Council: Expanding Recovery-to-Work Support Services in Western North Carolina

Asheville, North Carolina serves as a successful model for economic revitalization in Appalachia. Tourists from far and wide seek out its rich cultural history, outdoor recreation opportunities, culinary scene and much more. As a result, entrepreneurship and business growth has helped diversify its economy and create numerous employment opportunities for…
Investment in Action
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…
Investment in Action
North Carolina

Watauga

High Country Food Hub: Investing in Storage Capacity Reaps Rewards

Building Appalachia’s infrastructure has been an ARC investment priority for 58 years, especially the development and maintenance of basic infrastructure systems, highway and utility access, expanding broadband, and developing sites to attract new businesses. ARC’s Area Development Program invested $92.1 million in community infrastructure Fiscal Year 2022. When thinking…
Investment in Action
North Carolina

Philip Cooper: Inspiring Change

For Philip Cooper, helping his community recover from substance use disorder is a personal, lifelong commitment.
Investment in Action
North Carolina

Wilkes

Wilkes Recovery Revolution: Supporting Fresh Starts in North Carolina

Since 2016, Wilkes Recovery Revolution, Inc. (WRR) has worked to make recovery a reality in North Carolina. WRR was founded by Devin Lyall,  whose own experience in long-term recovery helps inform the nonprofit’s services, peer-driven structure and leadership – including a board of directors made up of over 50% individuals in recovery. WRR’s partnership with ARC began in 2019, when Lyall began…
Investment in Action