For decades, the Appalachian Development Highway System (ADHS) has been viewed as one of the most significant long-term infrastructure investments supporting economic opportunity in Appalachia. As more than 92 percent of the system has been completed, open to traffic or under construction as of 2026, the question is no…

This report analyzes coal production and employment data from 2000 to 2024, with a focus on how trends in Appalachia compare to those elsewhere in the country. Variation within the region is also examined. For Appalachia as a whole, despite some slight increases over the past few years, coal…

In cooperation with the Federal Highway Administration and the state departments of transportation (DOTs), the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) regularly updates the cost-to-complete estimates for the unfinished Appalachian Development Highway System (ADHS) corridors. The 2025 ADHS cost-to-complete estimate is $15.2 billion (in 2025 dollars). In addition, state DOTs have…

In cooperation with the Federal Highway Administration and the state departments of transportation (DOTs), the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) regularly updates the cost-to-complete estimates for the unfinished Appalachian Development Highway System (ADHS) corridors. The 2021 ADHS cost-to-complete estimate is $10.3 billion (in 2020 dollars).

This report examines issues related to water and wastewater services throughout Appalachia, a topic last explored by ARC in 2005. Drawing on secondary data analysis, surveys of water system operators, and stakeholder interviews, it provides a comprehensive overview of these critical infrastructure areas. The report estimates access gaps…

This report examines worker displacement throughout the Appalachian Region, an issue last examined by ARC in 2005. Using data from the past five iterations of the Displaced Worker Supplement (DWS), which cover the years 2011-2021, the report examines how worker displacement varies based on a number of factors,…

This research report provides a comprehensive assessment of industry clusters and international trade in Appalachia. This report is an update of the 2004 report, Analysis of Global Competitiveness of Selected Industries and Clusters in the Appalachian Region and provides a current analysis of key export-oriented industries and industry…

This report, commissioned by the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) and led by the North Carolina Department of Transportation, explores transportation accessibility within North Carolina. Building upon the foundational insights provided by ARC’s Access in Appalachia report of 2020, this report provided an opportunity to measure differences in accessibility…

This report analyzes coal production and employment data from 2000 to 2023, with a focus on how trends in Appalachia compare to those elsewhere in the country. Variation within the region is also examined. For Appalachia as a whole, despite some slight increases over the past few years, coal…

The objective of this research report on truck parking in Appalachia, commissioned by the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) and completed by CPCS Transcom Inc., was to: 1) bring together the best available data and insights from existing state-level efforts and complete new research into an integrated regional assessment of…

Author(s): Saumya Jain, Eric Lind, Andrew Owen, and Shirley Shiqin Liu  Author Organization(s): Accessibility Observatory, University of Minnesota   This research report, commissioned by the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) and led by the Maryland Department of Transportation’s State Highway Administration, explores transportation accessibility within the Appalachian Region. Building upon the foundational…