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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 filtersKentucky
			Knott    
    Hindman, KY: Overcoming Challenges and Upgrading Water Services

          Using BIL funds, the City of Hindman was able to overcome cost barriers to critical water system upgrades.
    
    
    
          Coal-Impacted Communities
          Community Infrastructure
          COVID-19 ResponseWest Virginia    
    Mountwest Community & Technical College: Constructing a Greener Future in WV

          ARC’s POWER Initiative has invested millions to connect Appalachia’s students and workers with careers in emerging, high-growth industries – one of which is construction. This sector is struggling to find qualified workers to keep up with increasing demand. Furthermore, Appalachian communities continue to be faced with the lack of...
    
    
    
          Coal-Impacted CommunitiesPennsylvania    
    Appalachian Pennsylvania: $17.3 Million Awarded for Coal Community Revitalization

          Since 2015, ARC’s POWER Initiative has invested millions in projects working to create jobs, fuel new industries, and prepare students and workers for new opportunities in coal-impacted communities. ARC’s largest single POWER funding package to date was awarded in October 2023, with one state receiving an...
    
    
    
          Coal-Impacted CommunitiesKentucky, North Carolina, Ohio, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia    
    Central Appalachia: Increasing Capital Access in Coal Communities

          ARC’s POWER Initiative has invested millions in projects working to create jobs and new economic opportunities in coal-impacted communities. A barrier to the creation of opportunity, however, is capital access. Without the money and credit needed to start a business, the ideas of home-grown entrepreneurs cannot be put into...
    
    
    
          Coal-Impacted CommunitiesPennsylvania    
    Tri-County Workforce Investment Board: Creating PA’s Semi-Conductor Workforce

          Tri-County Workforce Investment Board is partnering with Steamfitters Local Union 449 (see video above) to offer free training for over 500 participants at its Technology Center in Harmony, PA. ARC’s POWER Initiative has invested millions to connect students and workers in coal-impacted communities with in-demand, high-growth industries. One such...
    
    
    
          Coal-Impacted CommunitiesKentucky
			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 InfrastructureKentucky    
    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 OpportunitiesKentucky, 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 OpportunitiesPennsylvania
			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...
    
    
    
          Coal-Impacted Communities
          Entrepreneurship and Business Development Appalachian Regional Commission

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