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
    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
			See All


		Topics
			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 DevelopmentOhio
			Athens    
    Buckeye Hills Regional Council: Making Community Visions a Reality in Ohio

          Buckeye Hills Regional Council is using BIL funds to help the City of Athens revitalize historic buildings to meet community needs.
    
    
    
          Community InfrastructureKentucky
			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 CommunitiesWest Virginia    
    New Vision Renewable Energy:  Empowering West Virginia’s At-Risk Youth

          Since 2007, the number of children placed in foster care due to parental substance use disorder (SUD) has risen by 53%, per the Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System. As with other SUD-related issues, this trend is disproportionately higher in Appalachian counties, such as Barbour County, West Virginia,...
    
    
    
          Substance Use Disorder
          Training and OpportunitiesMississippi    
    MagCor Industries: Expanding Mississippi’s Recovery Ecosystem

          In Appalachian Mississippi’s 24 counties, the manufacturing, transportation, and logistics sectors have major potential to create new workforce opportunities – especially for individuals in recovery from substance use disorder (SUD). However, the region is lacking local capacity to launch a coordinated, comprehensive recovery ecosystem to help these populations successfully access...
    
    
    
          Substance Use Disorder
          Training and OpportunitiesKentucky, Ohio    
    Shawnee State University: Building a Behavioral Health Workforce

          With support from ARC’s INSPIRE initiative, many Appalachian communities are addressing substance use disorder (SUD) by bolstering recovery-to-work programs and related support services. Portsmouth, Ohio and the surrounding area – which includes both Southern Ohio and several counties in north central Appalachian Kentucky – is no...
    
    
    
          Education and Training
          Substance Use DisorderSouth Carolina
			Cherokee, Pickens, Union    
    South Carolina Office of Rural Health: Dreaming Up New Recovery Solutions

          Recovering from Substance Use Disorder (SUD) can be a vicious cycle, especially when it comes to accessing the treatment and support services needed to successfully secure meaningful employment. Furthermore, it’s not just an individual who feels these effects, but entire communities. In upstate South Carolina, public services in Cherokee,...
    
    
    
          Health
          Substance Use Disorder
          Training and OpportunitiesAlabama
			Jefferson    
    Jefferson State Community College: Driving Student Success

          Located in and around the ‘Magic City’ of Birmingham, Alabama, Jefferson State Community College (JSCC) campuses serve more than 15,000 students each year – over half of whom are first-generation college students. JSCC provides more than 33 certificates and training programs in a wide range of industries, including manufacturing,...
    
    
    
          College and Career Readiness
          Education and Training 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