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.

City of Norton: Embracing Outdoor Recreation

There is no shortage of natural beauty in the City of Norton, Virginia. Located in the far western tip of Wise County, the community prides itself on unique outdoor assets like nearby Devil’s Bathtub and, above all, High Knob. This overlook sits at the peak of Stone…

Westmoreland County Community College: Teaming Up on Workforce Development

In the heart of Southwestern Pennsylvania, Westmoreland Community College (WCC) is leveraging partnerships for a powerful impact on workforce development.

Generation West Virginia: Recruiting and Retaining Young Leaders

Generation West Virginia is working to make the Mountain State a place where young people can thrive.

Kentucky

The Kentucky Wildlands: Building a Recreation Destination

The Kentucky Wildlands is driving economic development and regional tourism across 14,000-square-miles of “largely untamed wilderness.”…

Youngstown Business Incubator: Elevating Entrepreneurship

In what was once an abandoned furniture store, the Youngstown Business Incubator (YBI) is operating an internationally recognized, high-impact program for Appalachian entrepreneurs. YBI was founded in 2001 and has since developed successful digital businesses, strengthened women and minority entrepreneurship, and furthered advanced manufacturing technologies in Ohio’s Mahoning Valley.

Pennsylvania

Cambria

Startup Alleghenies: Empowering the Cycle of Entrepreneurship

Since 1974, JARI has supported the economic growth and diversification of Pennsylvania’s Southern Alleghenies region. Their service area in Greater Johnstown, Pennsylvania historically relied on the steel and coal industries, and like other Appalachian communities needed to diversify its local and regional economic bases to improve long-term vitality. In order to best carry out its…

Alabama

Fayette

Lisa Bright: Breaking Barriers to Recovery

When Will Bright passed away in 2014 from an overdose, his mother, Lisa Bright, knew she had to turn her pain into purpose. She and her husband, Bill, started the Will Bright Foundation to both honor their son and provide others with a safe, supportive environment for their recovery…

Kentucky

Whitley

Why Whitley: Designing a New Community Narrative

UK Landscape Architecture rendering of River Fog Park (Image courtesy of Why Whitley Facebook) In 2018 in Whitley County, Kentucky, a group of passionate citizens held a dinner to discuss ways to change the narrative surrounding the community. There were so many things to be proud of within the county,…