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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 filtersMaryland, 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...
    
    
    
          ARISE
          Energy
          Entrepreneurship and Business DevelopmentNorth 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...
    
    
    
          ARISE
          Entrepreneurship and Business Development
          Training and OpportunitiesNorth 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.
    
    
    
          Community Infrastructure
          Entrepreneurship and Business DevelopmentMaryland
			Allegany, Garrett    
    Western Maryland: Elevating the Outdoors

          Two Appalachian Maryland counties used BIL funds to expand outdoor recreation by attracting new businesses and more visitors.
    
    
    
          Community Infrastructure
          Entrepreneurship and Business Development
          Tourism DevelopmentNorth 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 DevelopmentGeorgia
			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 DevelopmentSouth 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
          HealthKentucky, 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 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 DevelopmentNorth Carolina    
    Growing Outdoors: Manufacturing and Outdoor Recreation in Western North Carolina

          ARC partners are expanding outdoor gear manufacturing sector.
    
    
    
          Asset-Based Development
          Entrepreneurship and Business DevelopmentKentucky
			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.
    
    
    
          Economic Status
          Entrepreneurship and Business Development
          Tourism DevelopmentOhio    
    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...
    
    
    
          Asset-Based Development
          Entrepreneurship and Business DevelopmentWest Virginia    
    West Virginia Food & Farm Coalition: Growing Local Food Opportunities

          WVFFC provides statewide leadership in local food so farmers and agriculture businesses can thrive, ultimately nourishing and strengthening their communities.
    
    
    
          Asset-Based Development
          Entrepreneurship and Business DevelopmentWest Virginia    
    Sprouting Farms: Supporting the Future of Farming

          Sprouting Farms grows Southern West Virginia’s local food systems through education, resource sharing, land access, and food production.
    
    
    
          Asset-Based Development
          Entrepreneurship and Business Development Appalachian Regional Commission

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