Capacity is the ability to prioritize local challenges and generate effective solutions. Through funding, no-cost training, development opportunities and technical assistance, ARC helps Appalachians build capacity at the individual, organizational and community levels. Together, these investments aim to empower Appalachians — of all ages and backgrounds — to participate…
In 2024, ARC awarded more than $5 million in POWER funds to three advanced manufacturing projects that will benefit coal-impacted communities and workers in Ohio, Pennsylvania, Kentucky and West Virginia.
Investment in Action
Maryland, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia
This workbook was created exclusively for the 2024 READY Local Governments training program by an external contractor to guide participants through the course. While the intended audience was local government entities, the content may be useful to all ARC applicants and grantees who are looking to access tools…
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 region.
Asheville, North Carolina serves as a successful model for economic revitalization in Appalachia. Tourists from far and wide seek out its rich cultural history, outdoor recreation opportunities, culinary scene and much more. As a result, entrepreneurship and business growth has helped diversify its economy and create numerous employment opportunities for…
ARC’s Investments Supporting Partnerships in Recovery Ecosystems (INSPIRE) awarded $11.5 million to 39 grantees working to address Appalachia’s substance use disorder crisis. Each project makes a unique contribution to local, state and regional recovery ecosystems, which are complex – but critically needed – webs connecting peer support, health and…
It takes innovative thinking to address the substance use disorder crisis, which continues to disproportionately affect the Appalachian Region. How can communities grow support services and workforce opportunities for individuals in recovery? For Appalachian Sustainable Development (ASD) in Southwest Virginia, their answer is simple: local food.
The journey through justice system involvement, recovery from substance use disorder and workforce re-entry is longer and more complex than most realize. Investing in partners, such as The REACH Initiative in Charleston, West Virginia, that make this process easier for Appalachians is a key part of…
Community foundations serving Appalachia are invited to join an informational webinar on Thursday, June 13, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. ET to learn about READY Community Foundations. This no-cost, six-week virtual training program is designed to help community foundation leaders build skills in effective operations, fundraising, and programming. Following…
In many areas of Appalachia, community foundations are the only philanthropic option for nonprofits, local government entities and other community groups. READY Community Foundations provides no-cost training to help these organizations strengthen operations, programming and fundraising. Following completion of the training program, participants will be eligible to apply for…
Appalachia’s local governments are the backbone of economic and community development. With more federal funding available than ever, local governments need support to apply for these opportunities and leverage federal support to create lasting, positive change. READY Local Governments provides no-cost training to help local government officials better identify, secure,…
ARC’s Appalachian Regional Initiative for Stronger Economies (ARISE) is a funding opportunity driving large-scale, regional economic transformation through multi-state collaborative projects. Launched in 2022 using funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, ARISE is strengthening Appalachian businesses and industries, and supporting the development of new opportunities across…
Since 2007, the number of children placed in foster care due to parental substance use disorder (SUD) has risen by 53%, per the Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System. As with other SUD-related issues, this trend is disproportionately higher in Appalachian counties, such as Barbour County, West Virginia,…
In Appalachian Mississippi’s 24 counties, the manufacturing, transportation, and logistics sectors have major potential to create new workforce opportunities – especially for individuals in recovery from substance use disorder (SUD). However, the region is lacking local capacity to launch a coordinated, comprehensive recovery ecosystem to help these populations successfully access…
