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 ProgramOpen
                                      ARISE InitiativeOpen
                                      INSPIRE Initiative
                                      POWER InitiativeOpen
                                      WORC InitiativeOpen
                      Capacity Building Opportunities
                              Academies and Institutes
                                      READY Appalachia
                      Additional Opportunities
                              Access to Capital Program
                                      Appalachian Regional Energy Hub Initiative
                                      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
    HomeNewsroomNewsAppalachian Regional Commission Announces $43.3 Million to Continue Economic Growth in Region’s Coal-Impacted Communities

      	
	
Appalachian Regional Commission Announces $43.3 Million to Continue Economic Growth in Region’s Coal-Impacted Communities
	
			October 14, 2020
                **Media Contact:**
											Wendy WassermanPOWER InitiativePress Release
	
				
	
	
	Emphasis on Recovery-To-Work Efforts and Broadband Development in 12 Appalachian States

**WASHINGTON, D.C.,**October 14, 2020—Today, the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) announced $43.3 million across 51 projects to support economic diversification in the Region’s coal-impacted communities. More than half of these investments will support recovery-to-work efforts or strengthen the Region’s broadband infrastructure.

“Communities impacted by the downturn of coal have been doubly impacted by the effects of COVID-19-related measures on their local economies. It is more important than ever to support resilient Appalachian communities in their economic recovery, and this round of POWER grantees are developing innovative and transformative approaches to benefit the Region,” said **ARC Federal Co-Chairman Tim Thomas**. “Many of the projects announced today will invest in expanded broadband infrastructure, proven throughout this year to be a critical factor in economic parity.  All of them will support tools and training to get the Appalachian economy back to work.”

Funding for today’s awards was made via the POWER (Partnerships for Opportunity and Workforce and Economic Revitalization) Initiative, a congressionally funded initiative that 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. With today’s announcement, ARC has invested over $238 million in 293 projects, touching 353 counties across Appalachia since 2015.  The highest concentration of ARC’s POWER investments is in eastern Kentucky, southern West Virginia, and southwestern Pennsylvania. More information about ARC’s POWER Initiative is available at www.arc.gov/power.

ARC is working with Chamberlin/Dunn LLC, a third-party research firm, to monitor, analyze, and evaluate these investments. An initial report, published in October 2019, drew on candid interviews with POWER projects funded between fiscal years 2015-2018. A main finding was that “grantees described long-term vision for economic transformation that is driven, in part, by social change—the building of hope and the shifting of mindsets in areas that have endured severe economic distress. With a recognition that it may take many years to realize true economic transformation, grantees stated that they have started to see shorter-term outcomes and impacts that they believe will result in longer-term impacts over time.”

Chamberlin/Dunn is continuing to monitor POWER investments and make recommendations to ARC for ongoing programmatic efficiencies. A second phase of the evaluation will expand the review to include POWER investments made through fiscal year 2019. Results are expected later this Fall.

**About the Appalachian Regional Commission**The Appalachian Regional Commission (www.arc.gov) is an economic development agency of the federal government and 13 state governments focusing on 420 counties across the Appalachian Region. ARC’s mission is to innovate, partner, and invest to build community capacity and strengthen economic growth in Appalachia to help the Region achieve socioeconomic parity with the nation. 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