Archived News and Highlights2020
In the Region This Week: May 7
In this Issue: ARC hosts learning exchange webinar on food safety management during COVID-19, ARC's COVID-19 mapping tool has updated numbers for cases in Appalachia. Read more and subscribe to ARC's weekly snapshot. In the Region This Week: April 30
In this Issue: Fellows of the Appalachian Leadership Institute lead a Facebook Live roundtable discussion on local responses to COVID-19, three initiatives make waves in Appalachia to support struggling families and small businesses during the pandemic. Read more and subscribe to ARC's weekly snapshot. In the Region This Week: April 23
In this Issue: ARC hosts Appalachian Leadership Institute Facebook Live roundtable discussion about community response to COVID-19, four Appalachian communities are selected to participate in TNECD's Tennessee Downtowns Program, ARC provides notice for repurposing grant balances to support immediate efforts to combat the COVID-19 crisis in their communities. Read more and subscribe to ARC's weekly snapshot. In the Region This Week: April 16
In this Issue: Appalachian Leadership Institute begins accepting applications for class of 2020-2021, ARC support helps coordinate medical safety gear production and distribution in North Carolina, USDA publishes COVID-19 Resource Directory for rural communities. Read more and subscribe to ARC's weekly snapshot. ARC Invests in Medical Safety Gear Production
An ARC announced investment to The Industrial Commons, in Morganton, North Carolina, will help purchase materials and coordinate staff to manufacture medical safety gear to fulfill product demand across the Appalachian Region and the nation in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Industrial Commons, and its enterprise the Carolina Textile District, are engaging nearly 600 sewers across 60 textile and furniture companies to cut, sew, and produce thousands of general use face-masks and medical grade gowns per week. Read the Press Release ARC Now Accepting Applications for 2020-2021 Class of Appalachian Leadership Institute
ARC is currently accepting applications for the second class of the Appalachian Leadership Institute, a leadership and economic development training opportunity for community leaders who currently live and/or work in Appalachia.The extensive nine-month program focuses on skill-building, seminars, best practice reviews, mentoring, and networking. Applications are due by June 1. Learn more In the Region This Week: April 9
In this Issue: ARC expands COVID-19 resources web page, Opportunity Appalachia invests in Region's Opportunity Zones, the Federal Reserve conducts a community survey regarding COVID-19, and ARC updates time stamp and confirmed cases in COVID-19 mapping tool. Read more and subscribe to ARC's weekly snapshot. POWER 2020 Application Update
In consideration of the ongoing COVID-19 crisis, ARC will consider revisions of submitted Letters of Intent (LOI) to apply for POWER 2020. The revised project design must still address POWER priorities and meet the requirements of the POWER 2020 Request for Proposals. To file a revised LOI, please contact your state program manager for further guidance. Please send revised LOIs to to bkoerwitz@arc.gov by April 15th, 2020. Learn more at arc.gov/power In the Region This Week: April 2
In this Issue: ARC provides an updated mapping tool of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Appalachia; community initiatives in the Region respond to COVID-19; The CARES Act provides support for small businesses. Read more and subscribe to ARC's weekly snapshot. Application Deadline for Appalachian Entrepreneurship Academy Extended to April 15, 2020
Due to the COVID-19 situation, ARC is extending the application deadline for the Appalachian Entrepreneurship Academy to April 15, 2020. Additional information about this program is available at arc.gov/aea Join our Team!
ARC is currently recruiting for an IT Specialist [System Administration, Network, Security] to perform a variety of work including all aspects of IT system development/enhancements and maintenance of operations of servers, network, and security, as well as IT system administration and management. Read more and apply In the Region This Week: March 26
In this Issue: ARC releases new resource documenting confirmed COVID-19 cases in Appalachia; Appalachian communities share resources and show resilience. Read more and subscribe to ARC's weekly snapshot. ARC Releases New Resources Documenting COVID-19 Spread in Appalachia in Relation to Rest of Nation
Two new resources documenting the spread and impact of COVID-19 in Appalachia—including a map of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the Region updated in real time, and a searchable database offering insight into confirmed cases at the county level in relation to hospital beds and other demographic data—are now available at arc.gov/coronavirus. Read the Press Release In the Region This Week: March 19
In this Issue: ARC responds to COVID-19 with event status updates as well as resources to help partners and grantees navigate current changes. Read more and subscribe to ARC's weekly snapshot. POWER Application Deadline Extended to April 24, 2020
Due to the COVID-19 situation, the deadline for completed POWER applications has been extended to Friday, April 24, 5 pm ET. Existing applications can be revised until this date. ARC's Response to COVID-19
As ARC continues to actively monitor the COVID-19 situation, we have incorporated modifications to ensure continuity of operations including ARC's grant programs and public outreach, while supporting health and safety. Please check back for updates. In the Region This Week: March 12
In this Issue: Appalachian states like Kentucky, Tennessee, and New York are highlighted for their flourishing hemp industries; ARC provides support to in-demand healthcare field in Allegany County, Maryland. Read more and subscribe to ARC's weekly snapshot. In the Region This Week: March 5
In this Issue: The PEW Charitable Trusts released a report highlighting broadband expansion in Appalachia; Entrepreneurship and STEM programs can help bridge gaps for students in Appalachia's most economically distressed areas. Read more and subscribe to ARC's weekly snapshot. In the Region This Week: February 27
In this Issue: ARC launches Envision Appalachia: Community Conversations for ARC's New Strategic Plan, a series of input sessions where communities can provide guidance on ARC's 2021-2025 investment priorities; Upcoming 2020 Census questionnaire can provide needed infrastructure, public service and other funding opportunities for Appalachian communities. Read more and subscribe to ARC's weekly snapshot. ARC Announces Envision Appalachia: Community Conversations for ARC's Strategic Plan
Envision Appalachia: Community Conversations for ARC's Strategic Plan is a series of public input sessions to identify critical opportunities and challenges facing Appalachia's economic future. Using insights gathered from these public sessions, an online survey and guidance from regional, state, and local partners, ARC will develop a strategic plan for fiscal years 2021-2025. Read the Press Release ARC is Hiring!
ARC is currently recruiting for an Executive Director to lead the administrative, programmatic, and fiscal management of the Agency. We are seeking a high energy, innovative, results driven leader who is an exceptionally skilled relationship builder. More information is available here. In the Region This Week: February 20
In this Issue: a fun fact for National Entrepreneurship Week -- there are over 1,000 resources in Appalachia supporting regional entrepreneurs; ARC hosts third session of Appalachian Leadership Institute in Starkville, MS focusing on ready workforce development. Read more and subscribe to ARC's weekly snapshot. ARC Announces Philip M. Heneghan to Head Office of Inspector General
Heneghan comes to ARC recently from the United States International Trade Commission. He will begin his post at ARC on March 2nd. Read the Press Release ARC Announces $3.3 Million to Continue Economic Growth in Region's Coal-Impacted Communities
On February 12th, ARC announced nearly $3.3 million in investments through the POWER (Partnerships for Opportunity and Workforce and Economic Revitalization) Initiative focusing on strengthening responses to substance abuse, improving broadband infrastructure, and supporting Opportunity Zone investments. Read the Press Release Legislative Update: President Trump's FY 2021 Budget Proposal Includes $165 Million for ARC
President Trump's FY 2021 Budget Proposal, released on February 10, includes $165 million for ARC. This represents level funding with the amount requested in the President's Budget for FY 2020. Of this proposal, $73 million is requested for ARC's Area Development Base Program; $50 million is requested to continue the POWER Initiative for communities adversely affected by the downturn in the coal industry; $32 million is requested for special regional initiatives to specifically address economic development in the Appalachian counties considered the most economically distressed; and $10 million is requested to address workforce challenges caused by the Region's drug crisis. ARC's FY 2021 Performance Budget Justification is available at www.arc.gov/cj. The proposed budget will serve as the basis for congressional discussion of funding for individual agencies, with the final decision on agency funding levels to be made by Congress as part of the regular appropriations process later this year. In the Region This Week: February 6
In this Issue: A new federal resource offers recommendations for rural communities struggling with Substance Use Disorder, ARC recognizes the region's 16 HBCUs in honor of Black History Month. Read more and subscribe to ARC's weekly snapshot. ARC Issues Request for Proposals (RFP) for Evaluation of Grant Performance Measurement System
ARC is currently accepting proposals from qualified consultants to assess ARC's current grant performance measurement system. Proposals due by March 10, 2020. Read the RFP In the Region This Week: January 31
In this Issue: Workshop focuses on federal funding opportunities in West Virginia, including ARC resources for broadband; Eastern Kentucky University expands aerospace training programs with V/R experiences for high schoolers. Read more and subscribe to ARC's weekly snapshot. In the Region This Week: January 23
In this Issue: Representatives from 10 Appalachian projects funded by Workforce Opportunity for Rural Communities (WORC) initiative convene in Washington, D.C. to discuss best project practices; ARC support helps Recovery to Work initiative in Graham County, North Carolina leverage existing programs to bridge the gap between treatment and employment. Read more and subscribe to ARC's weekly snapshot. In the Region This Week: January 16
In this Issue: ARC is accepting applications for the Appalachian Entrepreneurship Academy, and ARC/ORNL Summer STEM program -- two summer residential learning programs for the Region's high school & middle school students; POWER application portal open and 160 people attend regional POWER workshop in Ashland, Kentucky. Read more and subscribe to ARC's weekly snapshot. ARC Accepting Applications for Summer Study Programs in Entrepreneurship and STEM for Region's Middle and High School Students
ARC begins accepting applications for the Appalachian Entrepreneurship Academy (AEA) in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and for the ARC/ORNL Summer STEM Program in Oak Ridge, Tennessee—free immersive learning experiences in summer 2020 for the Region's high school and/or middle school students. Read the press release In the Region This Week: January 9
In this Issue: A new fact sheets series recaps ARC's investments during fiscal year 2019; Ohio Governor Mike Dewine to serve as ARC's states' co-chair for 2020; ARC and NACo partnership offers strategies to counties leaders to address region's opioid crisis. Read more and subscribe to ARC's weekly snapshot. ARC FY 2019 Year-In-Review Investment Data Now AvailableIn fiscal year 2019, ARC invested nearly $177 million into the Region, attracting nearly $247 million in matching funds and over $542.5 million in leveraged private investment. These investments alone are projected to create or retain more than 17,300 jobs, and train and educate more than 51,000 students and workers. Fact sheets summarizing ARC's investments, as well as jobs, matching funds, and leveraged private investment dollars generated by these investments regionwide and for each of the 13 Appalachian states are available at www.arc.gov/factsheets
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine to Serve as ARC's 2020 States' Co-Chair Appalachia's 13 governors have elected Ohio Governor Mike DeWine to serve as ARC's states' co-chair for 2020. As part of ARC's federal-state partnership structure, the states' co-chair works directly with the federal co-chair to invest in economic growth and development across the Appalachian Region. Read the press release.
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