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    HomeEventsEntrepreneurship and Business Development

      

	
	Entrepreneurship and Business Development



West Virginia    
    West Virginia Entrepreneurship Ecosystem Conference

          The WV Entrepreneurship Ecosystem Conference is the state’s premier professional learning and networking opportunity for entrepreneurs, resource providers, and/or public, private, and government entities supporting entrepreneurs. The one-day event features compelling keynotes, engaging panels, hands-on workshops, and extensive networking opportunities for attendees. Who should attend? Current and prospective entrepreneurs Small...
    
    
    
    
          EventEvaluation of ARC’s Business Development Grants Closed Between 2017-2021

          This report presents findings from an evaluation of ARC’s business development projects that closed between 2017 and 2021, representing 220 grants and nearly $75 million of ARC investment. The evaluation found that ARC’s business development grants closed during that timeframe led to improvements for nearly 11,000 businesses and facilitated...
    
    
    
    
          ReportMaryland, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia    
    Catalyst Connection: Bringing a New Energy to Northern Appalachia

          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 (BIL) ARISE is strengthening Appalachian businesses and industries, and supporting the...
    
    
    
    
          Investment in ActionNorth 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 ActionNorth Carolina    
    Southwestern Commission: Creating Space for Western North Carolina Food Entrepreneurs

          BIL funds are allowing the Western North Carolina farmers market construct a training facility that will serve 1,100 food producers.
    
    
    
    
          Investment in ActionMaryland
							

																			Allegany    
    Western Maryland: Elevating the Outdoors

          Two Appalachian Maryland counties used BIL funds to expand outdoor recreation by attracting new businesses and more visitors.
    
    
    
    
          Investment in ActionNorth 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 ActionVirginia
							

																			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,...
    
    
    
    
          Investment in ActionGeorgia
							

																			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...
    
    
    
    
          Investment in ActionSouth 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...
    
    
    
    
          Investment in ActionKentucky, 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. ...
    
    
    
    
          Investment in ActionPennsylvania
							

																			Cambria    
    Startup Alleghenies: Empowering the Cycle of Entrepreneurship

          Since 1974, JARI has supported the economic growth and diversification of Pennsylvania’s Southern Alleghenies region. Their service area in Greater Johnstown, Pennsylvania historically relied on the steel and coal industries, and like other Appalachian communities needed to diversify its local and regional economic bases to improve long-term vitality.  In order to best carry out its...
    
    
    
    
          Investment in ActionNorth Carolina    
    Growing Outdoors: Manufacturing and Outdoor Recreation in Western North Carolina

          ARC partners are expanding outdoor gear manufacturing sector.
    
    
    
    
          Investment in ActionKentucky
							

																			Perry    
    Foundation for Appalachian Kentucky: Revitalizing, Redeveloping and Reinvesting in Communities

          This story is one of several “Stories of Change” highlighted in a new evaluation of ARC’s POWER Initiative.
    
    
    
    
          Investment in ActionOhio    
    ACEnet: Empowering Local Food Entrepreneurs

          For more than 25 years, ARC has partnered with the Appalachian Center for Economic Networks (ACEnet) to support entrepreneurs and strengthen economic sectors in 32 counties across Appalachian Ohio. Local food provides a clear path to opportunity, and resilience, in many of those communities. To help them fully harness that potential, ACEnet helps markets...
    
    
    
    
          Investment in ActionPagination
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