Investing in Appalachia’s economic future.

Appalachian Regional Commission

The Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) is an economic development partnership entity of the federal government and 13 state governments focusing on 423 counties across the Appalachian Region. ARC’s mission is to innovate, partner, and invest to build community capacity and strengthen economic growth in Appalachia.

A Region of Great Opportunity

ARC invests in Appalachia’s economic future by providing grants, publishing research, and sponsoring learning experiences – all to help the Region’s communities seize their opportunities, address economic disparity and advance prosperity.

Learn More about Appalachia

Research and Resources

Strategic Plan

Appalachia Envisioned

ARC’s strategic plan, Appalachia Envisioned: A New Era of Opportunity, guides ARC’s work to innovate, partner, and invest in the Appalachian Region through 2026. Learn more about our investment goals, our guiding principles, our roles and more.

Learn More

Available Opportunities

ARC’s Area Development program empowers Appalachian communities to work with their state governments to design impactful projects that will strengthen infrastructure, businesses, the workforce, and more.

READY Grants to Grow is a $9 million funding opportunity that will award grants of up to $500,000 to organizations seeking to build individual, organizational and/or community capacity across the…

J-1 Visa Waiver Program

ARC is committed to helping residents of Appalachia have access to quality, affordable health care. Accordingly, under certain conditions, ARC will consider recommending a waiver of the foreign residence requirement on behalf of physicians holding J-1 Visas in health professional shortage areas to address the region’s healthcare needs.

Learn More

In The Region

Newsletter

This Week

This week, go behind the scenes at orientation with the 2024-25 class of the Appalachian Leadership Institute. Also, read top economic development headlines from around Appalachia.