Investments in Action

Every year, ARC investments support hundreds of economic development projects benefiting Appalachia’s 423 counties. Projects align with one of five goals outlined in our current Strategic Plan. The resulting investments ultimately help Appalachian communities address economic disparity and advance prosperity.

Explore stories from ARC projects and partners across the Appalachian Region.

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Mississippi

MagCor Industries: Expanding Mississippi’s Recovery Ecosystem 

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…
South Carolina

Cherokee, Pickens, Union

South Carolina Office of Rural Health: Dreaming Up New Recovery Solutions  

Recovering from Substance Use Disorder (SUD) can be a vicious cycle, especially when it comes to accessing the treatment and support services needed to successfully secure meaningful employment. Furthermore, it’s not just an individual who feels these effects, but entire communities. In upstate South Carolina, public services in Cherokee,…
North Carolina

Watauga

High Country Food Hub: Investing in Storage Capacity Reaps Rewards

Building Appalachia’s infrastructure has been an ARC investment priority for nearly 60 years, especially the development and maintenance of basic infrastructure systems, highway and utility access, expanding broadband, and developing sites to attract new businesses. ARC’s Area Development Program invested $92.1 million in community infrastructure Fiscal Year 2022. When…
Virginia

City of Bristol

Bristol, Virginia: Wastewater Treatment Enables Textile Industry Growth

Building Appalachia’s infrastructure has been an ARC investment priority for 58 years, especially the development and maintenance of basic infrastructure systems for water, sewer, energy and stormwater. ARC’s Area Development Program invested $66.8 million in water and sewer projects in Fiscal Year 2022. When thinking about economic growth, however,…
Kentucky

Dataseam: Growing the IT Workforce in Eastern Kentucky

Like many coal-impacted areas in Appalachia, Eastern Kentucky is tackling economic transition by diversifying its economic bases and creating new opportunities. Emerging industries such as information technology (IT), computer science and engineering have shown promise, but a shortage of IT talent was keeping the region from reaching its full potential. …
West Virginia

Ohio

Grow Ohio Valley: Empowering Food Access and Entrepreneurs

What started as an after-school urban gardening program has since blossomed into Grow Ohio Valley (Grow OV), an operation with around 50 employees working toward a single mission: improve the health and economic future of Wheeling, West Virginia, through local food. It’s a great mission for…
Kentucky, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia

Central Appalachia: Growing Opportunities Through Local Food

Since 2015, ARC’s POWER Initiative has invested millions in projects working to create jobs, fuel new industries, and prepare workers and students for new opportunities in coal-impacted communities. The largest POWER funding package to date was awarded in October 2022, with particular momentum for one emerging sector: local food. …