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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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		Topics
			See AllClear all filtersCity of Norton: Embracing Outdoor Recreation

          There is no shortage of natural beauty in the City of Norton, Virginia. Located in the far western tip of Wise County, the community prides itself on unique outdoor assets like nearby Devil’s Bathtub and, above all, High Knob. This overlook sits at the peak of Stone...Westmoreland County Community College: Teaming Up on Workforce Development

          In the heart of Southwestern Pennsylvania, Westmoreland Community College (WCC) is leveraging partnerships for a powerful impact on workforce development.Generation West Virginia: Recruiting and Retaining Young Leaders

          Generation West Virginia is working to make the Mountain State a place where young people can thrive.Kentucky    
    The Kentucky Wildlands: Building a Recreation Destination

          The Kentucky Wildlands is driving economic development and regional tourism across 14,000-square-miles of “largely untamed wilderness.”...
    
    
    
          Tourism DevelopmentYoungstown Business Incubator: Elevating Entrepreneurship

          In what was once an abandoned furniture store, the Youngstown Business Incubator (YBI) is operating an internationally recognized, high-impact program for Appalachian entrepreneurs. YBI was founded in 2001 and has since developed successful digital businesses, strengthened women and minority entrepreneurship, and furthered advanced manufacturing technologies in Ohio’s Mahoning Valley.Pennsylvania
			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 DevelopmentAlabama
			Fayette    
    Lisa Bright: Breaking Barriers to Recovery

          When Will Bright passed away in 2014 from an overdose, his mother, Lisa Bright, knew she had to turn her pain into purpose. She and her husband, Bill, started the Will Bright Foundation to both honor their son and provide others with a safe, supportive environment for their recovery...
    
    
    
          Leadership Development and Capacity Building
          Substance Use DisorderKentucky
			Whitley    
    Why Whitley: Designing a New Community Narrative

          UK Landscape Architecture rendering of River Fog Park (Image courtesy of Why Whitley Facebook) In 2018 in Whitley County, Kentucky, a group of passionate citizens held a dinner to discuss ways to change the narrative surrounding the community. There were so many things to be proud of within the county,...
    
    
    
          Leadership Development and Capacity BuildingPennsylvania    
    Pennsylvania Organization for Women in Early Recovery: Providing Tailored Treatment

          Addiction treats women differently, so POWER designed treatment to meet those needs.
    
    
    
          Substance Use DisorderOhio    
    Jefferson County Prevention and Recovery Board: Creating Hope Through Careers

          Peer support and job training will help Ohioans launch new careers.
    
    
    
          Substance Use DisorderKentucky    
    Pike County Health Department: Helping Workers Rebuild

          Through woodworking, men in recovery will learn skills and create for their communities.
    
    
    
          Substance Use DisorderNorth Carolina    
    Philip Cooper: Inspiring Change

          For Philip Cooper, helping his community recover from substance use disorder is a personal, lifelong commitment.
    
    
    
          Leadership Development and Capacity Building
          Substance Use DisorderOhio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia
			Monroe
															Allegheny
															Marion    
    TEAMing Up: A Regional Partnership Story

          This story is one of several "Stories of Change" highlighted in a new evaluation of ARC's POWER Initiative.
    
    
    
          College and Career Readiness
          Training and OpportunitiesNorth 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 DevelopmentAlabama    
    Alabama Community College System: The Ready to Work Program and Hornsby Steel, Inc.

          The Alabama Community College System offers job training at no cost.
    
    
    
          College and Career Readiness
          Training and Opportunities Appalachian Regional Commission

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