Governor Beshear will work alongside ARC’s Federal Co-Chair Gayle Manchin and fellow Appalachian state governors to boost economic and community growth across the region. WASHINGTON, D.C., January 4, 2023—Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear has been elected by his fellow Appalachian governors to serve as the 2023 Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC)…

New class of 40 fellows represents public, private, and nonprofit sectors across Appalachia’s 13 states WASHINGTON, D.C., October 6, 2022—Today the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) announced the 40 fellows selected for the 2022-2023 Class of the Appalachian Leadership Institute, a free leadership and economic development training opportunity for…

Since 2015, ARC has funded 395 projects under the Partnerships for Opportunity and Workforce and Economic Revitalization (POWER) Initiative to empower Appalachian communities to create more vibrant, diverse, and sustainable economies. To understand successes, challenges, and lessons learned through implementation, as well as to examine results of POWER projects, ARC…

The coal industry—both in Appalachia and in the United States as a whole—has undergone a severe downturn over the last decade as demand for coal has fallen across the United States. The COVID-19 pandemic and associated recession weighed down on coal production even more. This report details major trends in…

Last week, President Biden signed the Consolidated Appropriations Act, which includes $195 million for the Appalachian Regional Commission for FY22. The funding represents an increase of $15 million over the FY21 amount. Compared to FY21, the legislation provides a $10 million increase in POWER funding, a $3 million increase…

Building off of its largest POWER Initiative investment in 2021, ARC is funding an additional 21 projects to spur economic opportunities in coal-impacted communities. YOUNGSTOWN, OH, March 17, 2022 — Today the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) awarded nearly $21 million for 21…

This research examines the impact of industry-specific entrepreneurship on overall employment growth in Appalachia. Full Report Self-Employment, Industrial Diversity, and Growth in Appalachia…

These two reports examine the relationship between coal activity and funding for elementary and secondary education in Appalachia. The first report is a descriptive analysis examining patterns in funding throughout the Region, and the second used econometric analysis to examine how changes in coal activity have impacted this funding.

This research identifies industries that might be further developed to strengthen industrial clusters—and support overall economic development—in each of the micro- and metropolitan areas wholly within the Appalachian Region. Overview Regional Overview and Methodology Supplements How to Use Findings from…

This exploratory analysis examines industry-specific employment trends across Appalachia and identifies the industries that may have a locational advantage in each of Appalachia’s 420 counties. Findings may prove useful in devising regional economic development strategies.  Appalachian Region ARC Overview Appalachian States…

This report explores the implications of the changing power industry and the variations in impact across the Appalachian Region. Similar to past work examining the coal industry ecosystem, three measures are examined at the county level throughout Appalachia: dependence, impact, and risk.  Full Report An…