This study analyzes the impact of diseases of despair on mortality within the Appalachian Region, focusing on mortality from three main causes: alcohol, prescription drug, and illegal drug overdose; suicide; and alcoholic liver disease/cirrhosis of the liver. It includes data through 2021 and serves as an update to previous ARC…

These state-level reports offer a glimpse at private-sector employment throughout the Appalachian Region. Each report, focusing on the Appalachian portions of the states, includes employment data for 91 industries, allowing readers to see which industries account for the largest percentages of total employment. The reports also include variables measuring recent…

Graduates will now join the growing Appalachian Leadership Institute Alumni Network, continuing their regional connection and collaboration.   WASHINGTON, D.C., July 26, 2023—The Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) is proud to announce that 39 fellows from Appalachia’s 13 states graduated from the Appalachian…

This research report, commissioned by the Appalachian Regional Commission’s Network Appalachia multimodal transportation advisory group, provides an assessment of the freight network in Appalachia and the global context that surrounds it. This report is an update of the 2010 Network Appalachia: Access to Global Opportunity report and maps freight network…

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…

The new ARISE planning grant will create a roadmap to help students innovate in their communities and prepare for in-demand careers across three states. WASHINGTON, D.C., July 13, 2023—Today, the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) awarded a $416,959 Appalachian Regional Initiative for Stronger Economies (ARISE) planning grant to…

The East Tennessee State University (ETSU) Center for Rural Health Research, in collaboration with the ETSU Addiction Science Center, conducted an evaluation of the INSPIRE Initiative on behalf of ARC in 2022-2023. The evaluation was designed to advance understanding of the accessibility of the application process, implementation successes and…

Two new ARISE grants will help prepare youth in West Virginia and Mississippi for careers in healthcare and manufacturing, and develop a plan to grow forest farming businesses across Central Appalachia. WASHINGTON, D.C., June 29, 2023—Today, the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) awarded two new grants totaling over $5.2 million…

Public, private, and nonprofit leaders throughout Appalachia are encouraged to apply for ARC’s free nine-month training program. WASHINGTON, D.C., April 11, 2023—Today, the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) opened applications for the fifth class of the Appalachian Leadership Institute (ALI), a free leadership and economic development training opportunity for individuals currently…

The first-ever grant funded through ARC’s new Appalachian Regional Initiative for Stronger Economies (ARISE), led by Connect Humanity, will provide support to under-connected communities throughout Appalachia, better positioning them to grow broadband economic opportunities. WASHINGTON, D.C., January 11, 2023—Today, ARC awarded $6.3 million through its new…

This study analyzed the impact of diseases of despair on mortality within the Appalachian Region, focusing on mortality from three main causes: alcohol, prescription drug, and illegal drug overdose; suicide; and alcoholic liver disease/cirrhosis of the liver. It served as an update to ARC reports from 2017 and 2020…

This report presents findings from an evaluation of ARC’s education and workforce development projects that closed between 2015 and 2019, representing 383 grantees and more than $62,500,000 of ARC investment. By the end of the grant period, 337,405 individual beneficiaries had been served. At the time of the follow-up survey,…

Largest POWER funding package to date will support growth of food economies, entrepreneurship, workforce development, and more to create new jobs in Appalachia’s coal-impacted communities. Frostburg, Maryland, October 17, 2022 —Today, the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) awarded nearly $47 million to 52 projects in 181…