Skip to main content


Appalachian Regional Commission

          
CLOSE
        Appalachian Region
              Data Overview of the Appalachian Region
                      Appalachian States
                      Appalachian Counties Served by ARC
                      County Economic Status and Distressed Areas in Appalachia
                      Tribal Communities in the Appalachian Region
                      Congressional Districts in Appalachia
                      Local Development Districts in Appalachia
      Investment Priorities
              Building Businesses
                      Workforce Ecosystems
                              Addressing Substance Use Disorder
                      Community Infrastructure
                              Transportation in Appalachia
                      Regional Culture and Tourism
                      Community Leaders and Capacity
                              READY Appalachia
                      Investments in Action
      Grants and Opportunities
              About ARC Grants
                              Match Requirements for ARC Grants
                      Funding Opportunities
                              Area Development Program
                                      ARISE InitiativeOpen
                                      INSPIRE Initiative
                                      POWER Initiative
                                      WORC Initiative
                      Capacity Building Opportunities
                              Academies and Institutes
                                      READY Appalachia
                      Additional Opportunities
                              Access to Capital Program
                                      Appalachian Regional Energy Hub InitiativeOpen
                                      J-1 Visa Waiver Program
                                      Local Access Road Program
                      Contract Opportunities
                      Applicant Resources
                      Grantee Resources
                      Approved ARC Projects
      Research and Data
              Research Reports
                      Evaluations
                      Maps
                      Data Report Tool
                      Fact Sheets and Infographics
      Academies and Institutes
              Appalachian Collegiate Research Initiative
                      Appalachian Entrepreneurship Academy
                      Appalachian Leadership Institute
                      Appalachian STEM Academy
      About ARC
              History and Work
                      Structure and Leadership
                              ARC Offices & Staff
                                      State Partners
                                      Local Development Districts
                                      Office of Inspector General
                      Budget, Performance, and Policy
                      Newsroom
                      Careers at ARC
                      Internships at ARC
      SearchSearch
    Search

              Events
      Newsroom
      Get ARC Updates
      Inspector GeneralFacebook
      Twitter
      Youtube
      LinkedIn You are here
    HomeGrants and OpportunitiesPartnerships for Opportunity and Workforce and Economic Revitalization Initiative

        
      
Partnerships for Opportunity and Workforce and Economic Revitalization Initiative
	
	
				
	
	
	The **Partnerships for Opportunity and Workforce and Economic Revitalization (POWER) Initiative** targets federal resources to help communities and regions that have been affected by job losses in coal mining, coal power plant operations, and coal-related supply chain industries due to the changing economics of America’s energy production.

In October 2023, ARC awarded its latest round of investments – nearly $54 million – to projects that will leverage entrepreneurship, workforce development, and infrastructure to bolster re-employment opportunities, create jobs in existing or new industries, and attract new sources of investment.






	



POWER’s Impact in Appalachia    
    
    $421.6M
              
              Invested							  


507
              
              Projects Supported							  


365
              
              Coal-Impacted Counties





	


  
Since 2015, ARC has invested **$421.6 million** in **507 projects** touching **365 counties** across Appalachia through the POWER Initiative. Together, these investments are projected to create or retain over **53,000 jobs**, leverage more than **$1.81 billion** in additional private investment into Appalachia’s economy, and prepare over **142,000 workers and students** for opportunities in entrepreneurship, broadband development, tourism, and other industry sectors.
          
                      Meet Our Grantees






	

Investments in Action        POWER Success Stories
							
															With ARC support, coal-impacted communities across Appalachia are strengthening and diversifying their economies. Learn more about POWER investments.
							
															Explore All POWER Stories

Featured Resources





	


  
Evaluation          
                      POWER Initiative Evaluations
          
                      Learn more about the results of our ongoing evaluation of the POWER Initiative, documenting successes, challenges, and lessons learned from past and current grantees, as well as early impacts of the grants.
          
                      Learn More





	


  
Report          
                      An Overview of Coal and the Economy in Appalachia
          
                      This report details major trends in coal employment and production in the Appalachian Region over the past two decades. It examines where employment and production losses have been concentrated within the Region, and also what might be driving these declines.
          
                      Read the Report





	



Related Content    
    
    POWER Initiative Application Information
																				
								

  Building Appalachian Businesses

      Entrepreneur in a manufacturing facility
																				
								

  Building Appalachia’s Infrastructure

      Appalachian Development System Highway Corridor U.S. 23 near Norton, Virginia Appalachian Regional Commission

          About ARC Grants
      Grants and Opportunities
      Newsroom
      Contract Opportunities
      Contact ARC
      Careers

  Get ARC News and Updates
    
    
                
  Sign Up Here
    Web and Privacy Policy