THE APPALACHIAN REGION The Appalachian Region includes all of West Virginia and parts of Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, Maryland, Mississippi, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia. The Region is home to more than 25 million people and covers 420 counties and almost 205,000 square miles. |
APPALACHIAN STATESLearn about ARC's investments in each Appalachian state. |
 NEWS AND HIGHLIGHTSIn the Region This Week: September 10
In this Issue: Economic Innovation and Ingenuity During COVID-19: An Appalachian Perspective; Alabama's Opportunity Zones look past COVID-19. Read more and subscribe to ARC's weekly snapshot. In the Region This Week: September 3
In this Issue: Introducing ARC'S INvestments Supporting Partnerships In Recovery Ecosystems (INSPIRE) Initiative, ARC'S third Summer Showcase's discusses broadband, water, and critical infrastructure, ARC investments create economic opportunities in Appalachian Kentucky, Expanding Nurse Training Opportunities in Broome County, New York. Read more and subscribe to ARC's weekly snapshot. ARC Accepting Applications for INvestments Supporting Partnerships In Recovery Ecosystems (INSPIRE) Initiative
ARC accepting applications for new initiative to address Region's substance abuse crisis. Learn more about how the INvestments Supporting Partnerships In Recovery Ecosystems (INSPIRE) Initiative will support Recovery-to-Work efforts as art of the recovery ecosystem at arc.gov/SUD. Read the Press Release In the Region This Week: August 27
In this Issue: Summer Showcase's second session discusses Appalachia's dual pandemics: COVID-19 and substance use disorder, Alabama meets demand for advanced manufacturing, Shawnee State students in Ohio lead the way in PPE production. Read more and subscribe to ARC's weekly snapshot. In the Region This Week: August 20
In this Issue: Regional leaders discuss COVID-19 leadership as kick off to ARC's Summer Showcase; Children's hospital breaks ground in Pikeville, KY; 3 Appalachian manufacturing communities win department of defense recognition; Historical Bluffs restaurant reopens in North Carolina Read more and subscribe to ARC's weekly snapshot. In the Region This Week: August 13
In this Issue: Road project expands hospital access in Coaldale, PA, ARC's annual summit goes virtual, United Way of Southwest Virginia stands up COVID-19 Relief Fund. Read more and subscribe to ARC's weekly snapshot. In the Region This Week: August 6
In this Issue: ARC Oak Ridge Summer STEM Program wraps up, National Farmers Market Week in Appalachia, there's still time to get counted in 2020 Census. Read more and subscribe to ARC's weekly snapshot.
On July 31, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the FY21 Energy & Water Development Appropriations bill which includes $175 million for ARC. Legislative Update
In the Region This Week: July 30
In this Issue: ARC's annual summit goes virtual with weekly seminar series, the Appalachian Leadership Institute moves online to continue training, all 420 Appalachian counties now report confirmed COVID-19 cases, the 2020 Census is counting in your community. Read more and subscribe to ARC's weekly snapshot. Registration Now Open for Virtual Webinar Series: Economic Innovation + Ingenuity During COVID—An Appalachian Perspective
ARC pivots from annual summit, and launches free virtual seminar divided into four sessions in partnership with the state of Ohio. COVID-19: An Appalachian Perspective, will discuss community resiliency, Opportunity Zone investments, and other strategies illustrating Appalachian ingenuity. First session takes place on August 19th at 11 am (ET) and will continue every Wednesday at 11 am (ET) from August 19th–September 9th. Register now at arc.gov/summit! In the Region This Week: July 23
In this Issue: Appalachia featured in Tennessee Valley Corridor virtual summit, ARC research papers contribute to understanding regional substance use disorder, RFP for technical assistance providers to support regional non-profits, South Carolina Technology and Aviation Center supports regional automotive sector. Read more and subscribe to ARC's weekly snapshot. ARC Issues Request for Proposals (RFP): COVID-19 Technical Assistance Program for Appalachian Nonprofits
ARC invites proposals from qualified organizations to design and execute a technical assistance program that supports Appalachian-based nonprofit organizations during the COVID-19 pandemic. Proposals are due on or before August 12, 2020. Read the RFP. In the Region This Week: July 16
In this Issue: Appalachian Sustainable Development links farmers to families in southwest Virginia, Recovery-to-work services continue in western NC, PPP applications extended through August 8, ARC issues RFP on Appalachian agriculture. Read more and subscribe to ARC's weekly snapshot. ARC Issues Request for Proposals (RFP) For Agricultural and Local Food Activity in Appalachia
ARC issues a Request for Proposals regarding Agricultural and Local Food Activity in Appalachia using both quantitative and qualitative analysis of data from the Census of Agriculture, in addition to other sources, to document how agricultural activity may have changed over the years. Proposals are due on or before 12:00 pm (EDT), August 19, 2020. Read the RFP. In the Region This Week: July 9
In this Issue: ARC invests $6 million in West Virginia's small businesses, AEA welcomes 19 rising high school seniors to its first class, ARC Federal Co-Chairman visits Grundy County, Tennessee, PPP applications extended through Aug 8, 419 Appalachian counties confirm COVID-19 cases. Read more and subscribe to ARC's weekly snapshot. Nineteen Rising High School Seniors From Nine Appalachian States Begin Inaugural Session of the Appalachian Entrepreneurship Academy (AEA)
ARC announces 19 rising high school seniors from 9 Appalachian states begin inaugural session of the Appalachian Entrepreneurship Academy (AEA)—a free, blended learning curriculum focusing on business planning, market analysis, product development, and other skills to build entrepreneurial careers. Read the Press Release In the Region This Week: July 2
In this Issue: Dept. of Energy's new report highlights economic potential of region's oil & gas industries, ARC's annual Summer STEM program for Region's middle & high school students & teachers goes online, EDA's first CARES Act grant goes to Mississippi's Three Rivers Planning & Development District, WORC applications remain open through July 29. Read more and subscribe to ARC's weekly snapshot. ARC Launches Virtual Summer Study Program in STEM for Region's Middle and High School Students & Teachers
94 students and teachers from all 13 Appalachian states will participate in the ARC/ORNL Summer STEM virtual program. For 30 years, this partnership with Oak Ridge Associated Universities has given students and teachers the opportunity to learn more about science, technology, engineering, and math via lectures, group work, and individual STEM skill development in addition to participating in a showcase to present their work at the end of the three-week online program. Read the Press Release ARC Welcomes Release of The Appalachian Energy and Petrochemical Renaissance: An Examination of Economic Progress and Opportunities
ARC welcomes release of The Appalachian Energy and Petrochemical Renaissance: An Examination of Economic Progress and Opportunities, a Department of Energy report on Region's growing shale and gas industries. Read the Press Release Join Our Team!
ARC's Office of inspector General is hiring a Counsel-Investigator to provide legal advice and support to the Inspector General. Candidates must possess formal legal training, be an active member of the Bar Association, and have the knowledge to provide expert advice on ARC Code, policy, and procedures as well as government-wide regulations. Visit arc.gov/careers for more information! In the Region This Week: June 25
In this Issue: ONDCP Toolkit highlights federal resources to address substance abuse in rural communities, Startup Alleghenies hosts BIG IDEA Pitch contest, Rural Entrepreneurs Virtual Summit taking place on June 29, 90 participants join FASTER WV-sector based webinar on food and beverage industry. Read more and subscribe to ARC's weekly snapshot. In the Region This Week: June 18
In this Issue: Zanesville, OH accelerates Wi-Fi implementation, Alabama's Piedmont School pivots to virtual learning during COVID-19, new COVID-19 tracking tools reveal county, state, and global trends, Appalachian banks still have time to become certified PPP lenders. Read more and subscribe to ARC's weekly snapshot. In the Region This Week: June 11
In this Issue: New ARC Chartbook finds Region experienced positive economic growth before COVID crisis, Appalachian Community Capital distributes $3.56 million to extend capital to Region's small businesses, Appalachian farms and food enterprises address food insecurity with USDA support. Read more and subscribe to ARC's weekly snapshot. ARC Releases The Appalachian Region: A Data Overview from 2014–2018 Showing Regional Pre-COVID Economic Trends Were Improving, Although Continued to Lag Behind Nation as a Whole
ARC releases data overview from 2014–2018 showing Regional pre-COVID economic trends were improving, although continued to lag behind nation as a whole. Comprehensive data on income, employment, education, and other indicators offer baseline for future COVID-19 economic analysis. Read the Press Release In the Region This Week: June 4
In this Issue: BRITE Energy Innovators support clean-tech startups during COVID-19, Regional learning academies address substance abuse in Appalachia, Virginia's health wagon featured on national television, WORC Webinars continue through June 8th. Read more and subscribe to ARC's weekly snapshot. In the Region This Week: May 28
In this Issue: A new evaluation report illustrates the connection between water infrastructure investments and regional economic development, the EDA announces community assistance relief during COVID-19, Appalachian Leadership Institute applications due June 1st, DoL hosts series of webinars for WORC initiative through June 8th. Read more and subscribe to ARC's weekly snapshot. ARC Releases Evaluation of Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Projects, FY 2009-2016
A new evaluation of ARC's water and wastewater investments made between fiscal years 2009-2016 finds that these infrastructure projects have a long standing impact on the Region's economy and quality of life. During the evaluation period, ARC invested $115 million in 379 regional water infrastructure projects, which in turn benefited 17,400 businesses, created 11,700 jobs and retained 22,000 jobs. The same ARC investments led to $3.8 billion in leveraged private sector investments, with every $1 dollar ARC investment in water and wastewater projects leveraging $4 in additional investment for the Region. Read the report and watch case study videos In the Region This Week: May 21
In this Issue: ARC funds a feasibility study in Cocke County, TN to spur economic development in the county's tourism industry; Dept. of Labor and ARC are hosting a series of webinars to help participants apply for the WORC initiative program; Appalachian Leadership Institute applications due June 1; lastly, ARC provides support to Buckeye Hills Regional Council in order to airlift PPE to home healthcare workers. Read more and subscribe to ARC's weekly snapshot. Applications Being Accepted for Workforce Opportunity for Rural Communities (WORC) Initiative
The U.S. Department of Labor (DoL), in partnership with ARC, is now accepting applications for the Workforce Opportunity for Rural Communities (WORC) initiative to implement innovative approaches to provide enhanced training and support activities to dislocated workers, new entrants in the workforce, incumbent workers, and individuals affected by substance use disorder returning to work. Successful awards will support workforce development activities that prepare eligible participants for good jobs in high-demand occupations aligned with a state, regional, or community economic development strategy specifically in the Appalachian and Delta regions. As part of this partnership, ARC is hosting a webinar series May 28-June 8 on how to prepare competitive applications. Read more In the Region This Week: May 14
In this Issue: White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) briefs ARC's Substance Abuse Advisory Council (SAAC) about continued substance abuse recovery services during COVID-19 crisis, $3.75 million ARC investment to Appalachian Community Capital (ACC) will help benefit Region's small businesses, Dept of Labor opens applications for Workforce Opportunity for Rural Communities (WORC) program. Read more and subscribe to ARC's weekly snapshot. ARC Announces $3.75 Million for Emergency Business Response Assistance Program to be Administered by Appalachian Community Capital
ARC announces $3.75 million grant to Appalachian Community Capital (ACC) for Emergency Business Response Assistance Program to strengthen and stabilize the Region's Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) and other finance lenders serving small businesses impacted by COVID-19. Read the Press Release |
