The Partnerships for Opportunity and Workforce and Economic Revitalization (POWER) Initiative targets federal resources to help communities and regions that have been affected by job losses in coal mining, coal power plant operations, and coal-related supply chain industries due to the changing economics of America’s energy production.
In October 2024, ARC awarded its latest round of investments – $68.2 million to 65 projects – that will strengthen a variety of industries, including advanced manufacturing, entrepreneurship, healthcare, and workforce development, to bolster re-employment opportunities, create jobs in existing and new industries, and attract new sources of private investment in coal-impacted communities.
POWER’s Impact in Appalachia
Since 2015, ARC has invested $484.7 million in 564 projects touching 365 counties across Appalachia through the POWER Initiative. Together, these investments are projected to create or retain over nearly 54,000 jobs, leverage more than $1.85 billion in additional private investment into Appalachia’s economy, and prepare over nearly 170,000 workers and students for opportunities in entrepreneurship, broadband development, tourism, and other industry sectors.
Investments in Action
POWER Success Stories
Featured Resources
POWER Initiative Evaluations
Learn more about the results of our ongoing evaluation of the POWER Initiative, documenting successes, challenges, and lessons learned from past and current grantees, as well as early impacts of the grants.
An Overview of Coal and the Economy in Appalachia
This report details major trends in coal employment and production in the Appalachian Region over the past two decades. It examines where employment and production losses have been concentrated within the Region, and also what might be driving these declines.
