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    HomeARC’s Investment Priorities for Appalachia

        
      
ARC’s Investment Priorities for Appalachia
	
	
				
	
	
	Every year, ARC investments support hundreds of economic development projects across the Appalachian Region. Projects align with one of five goals outlined in our strategic plan, which was developed alongside our state partners and based on input from nearly 2,000 Appalachians. The resulting investments ultimately help build community capacity and strengthen economic growth in Appalachia.




	
	

Our Focus Areas

      Building Businesses
                  Workforce Ecosystems
                  Community Infrastructure
                  Regional Culture and Tourism
                  Leaders and Local Capacity

  Investment Priority        
                  Building Appalachian Businesses
        
                  Investments in entrepreneurship and home-grown business development helps communities build sustainable, diverse economies.
        
                  
  Learn More

              Entrepreneur in a manufacturing facility								Investment Priority        
                  Building Appalachia’s Workforce Ecosystem
        
                  Expanding and strengthening community systems, including education, healthcare, housing, and childcare, will help Appalachians obtain a job, stay on the job, and advance their careers.
        
                  
  Learn More

              Training in an industrial facility								Investment Priority        
                  Building Appalachia’s Infrastructure
        
                  Access to reliable and affordable utilities and infrastructure ensure that Appalachia’s residents can successfully live and work in the Region.
        
                  
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              Appalachian Development System Highway Corridor U.S. 23 near Norton, Virginia								Investment Priority        
                  Building Regional Culture and Tourism
        
                  Preserving and investing in the Region’s local, cultural heritage, and natural assets will strengthen Appalachia’s economic potential.
        
                  
  Learn More

              Canoeing on the river in Unicoi, Tennessee								Investment Priority        
                  Building Community Leaders and Capacity
        
                  Investing in the capacity of local leaders, organizations, and communities to address local challenges will strengthen the Region’s economic prosperity.
        
                  
  Learn More





	


  
Rooted in Community Conversations
          
                      ARC released its five-year strategic plan, *Appalachia Envisioned: A New Era of Opportunity*, in October 2021. Through six community conversations, 16 focus groups, and more than 1,200 public survey responses, community members **affirmed the five core investment priorities** ARC established in 2015. Those focus areas will continue through 2026.
Additionally, Appalachian communities want ARC to dig deeper into ***how*** we’re investing in economic development efforts – particularly projects that promote resilience, innovation, sustainability, and equity in Appalachia.
Community feedback also guided ARC to focus on job creation through home-grown entrepreneurial ideas and existing industries, expand our workforce investments to include more employee supports, increasing access to infrastructure and broadband, and helping communities better build off regional culture and strengthen their capacity to develop and execute economic visions.
          
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Appalachia Envisioned Roadshow
          
                      Over the next two years, ARC is hitting the road to highlight our new strategic goals, and how Appalachia’s 13 states are working to achieve them, in a five-part virtual series entitled **Appalachia Envisioned Roadshow**.
At each stop, we will hear stories from Appalachian community members, economic development experts, and governors on their successes, challenges, and outlooks for the region.
          
                      Learn More






	

Investments in Action
							
															With ARC support, local economies are growing across the Region. Learn more about ARC investments in each of Appalachia’s thirteen states.
							
															Explore All Partner Stories
											
																			Two workers in a manufacturing facility
											
																			Students sitting on a bench while looking at a book
											
																			The Industrial Commons, Carolina Textile District Appalachian Regional Commission

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