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    HomeResearch, Evaluations, Maps, and Data

      
				
	
	
	
	
	
	Research, Evaluations, Maps, and Data
  

Economists, mapping specialists, evaluators, and data analysts in ARC’s Research and Evaluation Division regularly publish internal and commissioned reports and maps, and maintain an updated county-specific searchable data report tool. Research reports address critical socioeconomic issues impacting the Appalachian Region, while evaluations assess ARC’s own investment portfolios. ARC’s research and data is meant to help policymakers and our partners better understand Appalachia’s challenges and make more informed, effective decisions to address them. Published information also provides valid data for outside researchers studying the Region.Types
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		Years 
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					ARC's Fiscal Year runs September 30 - October 1, and is named for the calendar year in which it closes. County Economic Status maps, investment data, and budget and performance documents are categorized by Fiscal Year.

					Other ARC content, including research reports, evaluations and news updates, fall into the January 1- December 31 calendar year.
			See AllClear all filtersEvaluation of ARC’s Business Development Grants Closed Between 2017-2021

          This report presents findings from an evaluation of ARC’s business development projects that closed between 2017 and 2021, representing 220 grants and nearly $75 million of ARC investment. The evaluation found that ARC’s business development grants closed during that timeframe led to improvements for nearly 11,000 businesses and facilitated...
    
    
    
          2023EvaluationsBusiness and EntrepreneurshipEvaluation of ARC’s INSPIRE Initiative

          The East Tennessee State University (ETSU) Center for Rural Health Research, in collaboration with the ETSU Addiction Science Center, conducted an evaluation of the INSPIRE Initiative on behalf of ARC in 2022-2023. The evaluation was designed to advance understanding of the accessibility of the application process, implementation successes and...
    
    
    
          2023EvaluationsINSPIRE InitiativeEvaluation of ARC’s Education and Workforce Development Projects Closed in 2015-2019

          This report presents findings from an evaluation of ARC’s education and workforce development projects that closed between 2015 and 2019, representing 383 grantees and more than $62,500,000 of ARC investment. By the end of the grant period, 337,405 individual beneficiaries had been served. At the time of the follow-up survey,...
    
    
    
          2022EvaluationsEducationTrends and Impacts of Local Access Road Investment in Appalachia: An Evaluation Report of ARC’s Local Access Road Program

          This report presents a study to evaluate trends and impacts of investments in the Appalachian Regional Commission’s Local Access Road (LAR) Program using available project data and surveys conducted in this study covering the projects completed from 2001 through 2020. Information about 135 federally funded LAR projects was obtained from...
    
    
    
          EvaluationsTransportationPOWER Initiative Evaluation: The Value of POWER

          Since 2015, ARC has funded 395 projects under the Partnerships for Opportunity and Workforce and Economic Revitalization (POWER) Initiative to empower Appalachian communities to create more vibrant, diverse, and sustainable economies. To understand successes, challenges, and lessons learned through implementation, as well as to examine results of POWER projects, ARC...
    
    
    
          2022EvaluationsPOWER InitiativePOWER Initiative Evaluation: The POWER of Change

          Stories of Results for Individuals, Businesses, and Communities ARC has worked with Chamberlin/Dunn (C/D) as a third-party evaluator since Fiscal Year (FY) 2019 to understand the successes and challenges POWER grantees have experienced in the implementation of their grants, as well as early impacts of the projects. In FY21, the...
    
    
    
          2021EvaluationsPOWER InitiativeStrengthening the Appalachian Regional Commission’s Grant Performance Measurement: A Roadmap and Recommendations

          This evaluation was designed to help ARC learn about grant performance measurement practices at comparison organizations, assess ARC’s current grant performance measurement system, and provide recommendations for updating the current system. Full Report  Strengthening the Appalachian Regional Commission’s Grant Performance Measurement: A Roadmap and Recommendations –...
    
    
    
          2021EvaluationsPOWER Initiative Evaluation: Factors and Results of Project Implementation

          Since 2015, the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) has funded more than 240 projects under the Partnerships for Opportunity and Workforce and Economic Revitalization (POWER) Initiative to empower Appalachian communities to create more vibrant, diverse, and sustainable economies. To understand successes, challenges, and lessons learned through implementation, as well as...
    
    
    
          2020EvaluationsPOWER InitiativeSuccess Factors, Challenges, and Early Impacts of the POWER Initiative: An Implementation Evaluation

          This evaluation was designed to help ARC and its stakeholders learn from program implementation successes and challenges; identify technical assistance needs; and report on the qualitative impact of investments made, to date, with POWER funds. Full Report  Success Factors, Challenges, and Early Impacts of the POWER Initiative:...
    
    
    
          2019EvaluationsPOWER InitiativeEvaluation of the Appalachian Regional Commission’s Drinking Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Projects: FY 2009–FY 2016

          This report presents an evaluation of 379 drinking water and wastewater projects funded by ARC between fiscal years 2009 and 2016. The research team found that communities value the drinking water and wastewater projects, as evidenced by high demand, their key role in project completion, and how they serve to...
    
    
    
          2020EvaluationsInfrastructureEvaluation of the Appalachian Regional Commission’s Leadership and Community Capacity Projects: FY 2008–FY 2015

          This report presents an evaluation of 152 leadership and community capacity projects funded by ARC between fiscal years 2008 and 2015.
    
    
    
          2019EvaluationsLeadershipEconomic Analysis of Completing the Appalachian Development Highway System: Technical Report

          This report is the second volume of a study that analyzed the effect of ADHS development on economic growth in Appalachia, and the future economic benefits and costs of completing the system.
    
    
    
          2017Evaluations
          Maps
          Research ReportsTransportationProgram Evaluation of the Appalachian Regional Commission’s Telecommunications and Technology Projects: FY 2004-FY 2010

          This report presents an evaluation of 322 telecommunications and technology projects funded by ARC between fiscal years 2004 and 2010.
    
    
    
          2015EvaluationsBroadband and TelecomProgram Evaluation of the Appalachian Regional Commission’s Job Creation and Retention Projects

          This report presents an evaluation of 286 job creation and retention projects funded by ARC between fiscal years 2004 and 2010.
    
    
    
          2015EvaluationsBusiness and EntrepreneurshipProgram Evaluation of the Appalachian Regional Commission’s Health Projects, 2004-2010

          This report presents an evaluation of 202 health projects funded by ARC between fiscal years 2004 and 2010.
    
    
    
          2015EvaluationsPublic Health Appalachian Regional Commission

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