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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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…
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. …
Maryland

Allegany

Frostburg State University: Advancing Technology in Western Maryland 

In September 2021, Frostburg State University received the state of Maryland’s first-ever ARC POWER implementation grant. The $1,480,979 award helped continue the development of the Advanced Technology Center at Frostburg’s Innovation Park, which works to strengthen Western Maryland’s economy by creating new job opportunities…
Tennessee

Carter, Johnson

A.C.T.I.O.N. Coalition Inc.: Growing Achievable Pathways to Employment in Johnson County

Nestled in Northeast Tennessee, Johnson and Carter counties have strengths and challenges similar to many other Appalachian communities. Their location offers rich culture and easy access to outdoor adventures in “mountain and lake country.” However, the mountainous geography has also resulted in limited access to transportation, housing, and other critical…


Murray County, GA: A New Brand

The Murray County, GA team attended the 2017 Ringgold, GA Appalachian Gateway Communities Initiative (AGCI) workshop as a disconnected group comprising community members ranging from Arts Council’s President to a Water Commission’s General Manager. Representing a community with a growing downtown and arts scene, the dedicated volunteers applied…


Montgomery-Smithers, WV: Gateways to Opportunity

Flanking the Kanawha River in Southern West Virginia, the two small towns of Montgomery and Smithers are working together to establish their status as a burgeoning gateway, surrounded by national and state parks, gorges and rivers, forests and trails. From the Hatfields and McCoys Trail, to the Mammoth Preserve, to…