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 Entrepreneurship Academy Begins This Week for 19 Rising High School Seniors From 9 Appalachian States

      	
	
Appalachian Entrepreneurship Academy Begins This Week for 19 Rising High School Seniors From 9 Appalachian States
	
			July 7, 2020
                **Media Contact:**
											Wendy WassermanLeadership and Community CapacityEntire RegionPress Release
	
				
			Free Program Features Intensive Training and Career Building in Entrepreneurship
	
	
	**WASHINGTON, D.C.**, July 7, 2020—This week, 19 rising high-school seniors from 9 Appalachian states began the Appalachian Entrepreneurship Academy (AEA)—a 12-month, free, blended learning curriculum featuring working modules led by regional experts in business planning, market analysis, product development and other entrepreneurial services. As part of the program, students will participate in a 4-week summer intensive online training, continue training over the academic year, and meet in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, for a final capstone pitch event in July 2021.

“The creation of new, innovative opportunities in our Region through entrepreneurial enterprises will be a key factor in our communities’ economic growth and recovery, particularly in light of COVID’s impact,” said ARC Federal Co-Chairman Tim Thomas. “While this inaugural session of the Appalachian Entrepreneurship Academy was intended to be an in-person experience, the impressive flexibility and ingenuity shown by our partners and participants will make this virtual program rewarding and beneficial for these promising students.”

Participants for this program were chosen via a competitive Region wide application process. This year’s AEA class includes students from Georgia, Kentucky, Maryland, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia. As part of enrollment, students will receive tech support, materials, and other resources to participate in all aspects of the program. Each student will also receive a formal Certificate of Completion at the end of the program, and opportunities to receive industry-recognized certificates and/or college-credit. The Appalachian Entrepreneurship Academy is sponsored by ARC and made possible by the Institute for Educational Leadership (IEL). The program, originally conceptualized as a three-week residential training in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, was restructured in light of the COVID-19 crisis.

On July 1, ARC announced 94 teachers and students are enrolled in the 30th annual ARC/ORNL Summer STEM Program, a partnership between Oak Ridge Associated Universities and ARC increasing access to STEM-related research opportunities for Appalachia’s high school and middle school students and high school teachers. As part of the ARC/ORNL Summer STEM program, students collaborate with award-winning scientists at the Oak Ridge National Lab on guided group science, math, and computer science technology research projects, while high school teachers work with science practitioners to develop STEM-related curriculum. Due to COVID concerns, this year’s students and teachers will participate via a specialized three-week online curriculum including lectures, group work, and individual STEM skill development. Students will also participate in a final virtual showcase to present their work.

**About the Appalachian Regional Commission**The Appalachian Regional Commission 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