The new project will advance tourism infrastructure, job training, and business growth across 22 Parkway-adjacent counties in Appalachian North Carolina and Virginia.
Washington, D.C., April 24, 2025 – Today, the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) awarded $5,130,000 to the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation to improve and promote tourism to boost the economies of 22 Parkway-adjacent counties across Appalachian North Carolina and Virginia.
Funded through ARC’s Appalachian Regional Initiative for Stronger Economies (ARISE), this project is expected to impact 30 organizations, 250 businesses, 350 workers and improve over 40,000 linear feet of trails connected to the parkway.
Together with its project partner Friends of Southwest Virginia, the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation will collaborate with communities and organizations to implement strategies outlined in the “Blue Ridge Rising” community action plan to advance regional business growth, improve broadband and trail infrastructure, build the tourism workforce and facilitate collaboration among tourism leaders.
Damage from Hurricane Helene, which significantly affected Western North Carolina and Southwest Virginia, has underscored the need for collaboration to improve the Parkway’s tourism infrastructure.
“By investing in infrastructure improvements, regional business growth, and tourism workforce development, Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation’s ARISE grant stands to have a robust economic impact on Appalachian North Carolina and Southwest Virginia,” said ARC Federal Co-Chair Gayle Manchin. “In addition, this project exemplifies the importance of a multistate, collaborative approach to rebuilding in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, or any horrific disaster within our region.”
“The Blue Ridge Parkway is an American treasure and is a critical part of our state’s economy, connecting locals and visitors to western North Carolina,” said Governor Josh Stein. “I am grateful for this ARC grant to strengthen the parkway, which will help western North Carolina rebuild stronger and encourage more people to visit our state’s natural wonders.”
ARC has now invested $157 million in 56 collaborative, multistate projects through ARISE to support the development of new economic opportunities across all 13 Appalachian states.
To learn more about ARISE, visit arc.gov/grants-and-opportunities/arise.
About the Appalachian Regional Commission
The Appalachian Regional Commission is an economic development entity of the federal government and 13 state governments focusing on 423 counties across the Appalachian Region. ARC’s mission is to innovate, partner, and invest to build community capacity and strengthen economic growth in Appalachia to help the region achieve socioeconomic parity with the nation.