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    HomeInvestments in Action

      	
				
	
	
	
	
	
	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.States & Counties
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			See AllClear all filtersNorth 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...
    
    
    
          Community Infrastructure
          COVID-19 Response
          Entrepreneurship and Business DevelopmentVirginia
			City of Bristol    
    Bristol, Virginia: Wastewater Treatment Enables Textile Industry Growth

          Building Appalachia’s infrastructure has been an ARC investment priority for 58 years, especially the development and maintenance of basic infrastructure systems for water, sewer, energy, and stormwater. ARC’s Area Development Program invested $66.8 million in water and sewer projects alone in Fiscal Year 2022. When thinking about economic growth,...
    
    
    
          Community Infrastructure
          Entrepreneurship and Business DevelopmentMaryland
			Washington    
    Hagerstown, MD: Upgrading to Efficient, Environmentally Conscious Infrastructure

          Building Appalachia’s infrastructure has been an ARC investment priority for 58 years, especially the development and maintenance of basic infrastructure systems for water, sewer, energy, and stormwater. ARC’s Area Development Program invested $66.8 million in water and sewer projects alone in Fiscal Year 2022. When thinking about economic growth,...
    
    
    
          Community InfrastructureGeorgia
			Hart    
    Hartwell, GA: Digging into Downtown Revitalization

          Building Appalachia’s infrastructure has been an ARC investment priority for 58 years, especially the development and maintenance of basic infrastructure systems for water, sewer, energy, highways, and more. ARC’s Area Development Program invested $66.8 million in water and sewer projects alone in Fiscal...
    
    
    
          Community Infrastructure
          Entrepreneurship and Business DevelopmentKentucky
			Pike    
    Pikeville, KY: New Wastewater Technology Supports a Growth Mindset

          Building Appalachia’s infrastructure has been an ARC investment priority for 58 years, especially the development and maintenance of basic infrastructure systems for water, sewer, energy, and stormwater. ARC’s Area Development Program invested $66.8 million in water and sewer projects alone in Fiscal Year 2022.
    
    
    
          Coal-Impacted Communities
          Community InfrastructureTennessee
			Washington    
    First Tennessee Development District: Championing Caring Rural Workplaces

          Johnson City, Tennessee is home to a variety of community organizations supporting workforce opportunities for individuals both in recovery and transitioning from the justice system. Local employers have also demonstrated interest in hiring those workers in recovery and transition and enhancing support services for those employees and their families. What...
    
    
    
          Substance Use DisorderKentucky    
    Dataseam: Growing the IT Workforce in Eastern Kentucky

          Like many coal-impacted areas in Appalachia, Eastern Kentucky is tackling economic transition head-on by diversifying its economic bases and creating new opportunities in communities. Emerging industries such as information technology (IT), computer science, and engineering have shown promise, but a shortage of IT talent was keeping the region from reaching...
    
    
    
          Coal-Impacted Communities
          Education and Training
          Training and OpportunitiesSouth Carolina
			Greenville    
    Feed and Seed: Nourishing Upstate South Carolina

          In Greenville, South Carolina, Feed & Seed Co. is on a mission to serve farmers and families through a sustainable local food system. Their multi-purpose facility – located in Greenville County’s most food-insecure zip code – acts as a one-stop shop for both food entrepreneurs...
    
    
    
          Entrepreneurship and Business Development
          HealthWest Virginia
			Ohio    
    Grow Ohio Valley: Empowering Food Access and Entrepreneurs

          What started as an after-school urban gardening program has since blossomed into Grow Ohio Valley (Grow OV), an operation with around 50 employees working toward a single mission: improve the health and economic future of Wheeling, West Virginia through local food.  It’s a great mission...Kentucky, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia    
    Northern and Central Appalachia: Expanding Tourism Through Outdoor Recreation

          In KY, PA, VA, and WV, ARC partners are building trails and tourism experiences.
    
    
    
          Asset-Based Development
          Coal-Impacted Communities
          Tourism DevelopmentKentucky, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia    
    Central Appalachia: Growing Opportunities Through Local Food

          Since 2015, ARC’s POWER Initiative has invested millions in projects working to create jobs, fuel new industries, and prepare workers and students for new opportunities in coal-impacted communities. The largest POWER funding package to date was awarded in October 2022, with particular momentum for one emerging sector: local food. ...
    
    
    
          Coal-Impacted Communities
          Entrepreneurship and Business Development
          Training and OpportunitiesMaryland
			Garrett    
    Garrett County, Maryland: Connecting the Unconnected

          High-speed broadband will be expanded to 300 unserved households.
    
    
    
          Coal-Impacted Communities
          Community InfrastructureMaryland
			Allegany    
    Frostburg State University: Advancing Technology in Western Maryland

          In September 2021, Frostburg State University received the state of Maryland’s first-ever ARC POWER implementation grant. The $1,480,979 award helped continue the development of the Advanced Technology Center at Frostburg’s Innovation Park, which works to strengthen Western Maryland’s economy by creating new job opportunities...
    
    
    
          Coal-Impacted Communities
          College and Career Readiness
          Education and Training
          Energy
          Training and OpportunitiesAlabama
			Cullman    
    Wallace State Community College: POWERing Electric Vehicle Learning

          WSCC prepares students for the future automotive industry.
    
    
    
          Coal-Impacted Communities
          Education and Training
          Training and OpportunitiesTennessee
			Carter, Johnson    
    A.C.T.I.O.N. Coalition Inc.: Growing Achievable Pathways to Employment in Johnson County

          Nestled in Northeast Tennessee, Johnson and Carter counties have strengths and challenges similar to many other Appalachian communities. Their location offers rich culture and easy access to outdoor adventures in “mountain and lake country.” However, the mountainous geography has also resulted in limited access to transportation, housing, and other critical...
    
    
    
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          Training and Opportunities Appalachian Regional Commission

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