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2016 Press Releases

 December 2016
150 Appalachian Students Participate in Appalachian Teaching Project Conference in Washington, D.C.
Supported by ARC and organized by ETSU's Center for Appalachian Studies and Services, ATP helps student participants cultivate leadership and public policy skills and strengthen their research skills. For 2016, students' ATP research reflects key themes in ARC’s strategic investment plan, including natural and cultural asset development, downtown revitalization, leadership and planning, workforce development, and health.
 October 2016
Obama Administration Announces Nearly $28 Million in Additional Investments to Strengthen the Economy in Nation’s Coal-Impacted Communities
On October 26, ARC and EDA announced nearly $28 million in additional 2016 POWER investments to help stimulate economic growth and opportunity in the nation’s coal-impacted communities. These grant awards supplement the $38.8 million in POWER grants announced in August and include $20.3 million for projects befitting Appalachian communities.
 October 2016
ARC Releases Toolkit to Help Rural Communities Expand Broadband Service
The Broadband Planning Primer and Toolkit offers information and resources to guide rural Appalachian communities as they undertake broadband planning and implementation efforts.
 September 2016
Appalachian Regional Commission Announces $1.78 Million Investment to Strengthen Western North Carolina’s Economy
On September 14, ARC announced nearly $1.8 million in investments to help strengthen western North Carolina’s economy by expanding the region's advanced manufacturing training programs and bolstering wi-fi capabilities in ten rural communities.
 August 2016
Obama Administration Invests $38.8 Million to Strengthen Economy in Nation’s Coal-Impacted Communities
On August 24, ARC joined the U.S. Economic Development Administration and the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration in announcing the award of $38.8 million in grants through the administration's POWER Initiative to help stimulate economic growth and opportunity in coal-impacted communities. These 2016 POWER investments include $26.7 million for projects benefitting 142 counties in 8 Appalachian states.
 June 2016
Appalachian Regional Commission Launches "Bon Appétit Appalachia!," the Region’s Most Comprehensive Listing of Local Food Enterprises
In June 2016, ARC released Bon Appétit Appalachia!, a searchable online map of local food businesses and entrepreneurs operating in the Appalachian Region. The map includes more than 830 local farms, restaurants, bakeries, breweries, wineries, and festivals in the 13 Appalachian states. An abridged print version of the map is being published in regional Edible Communities magazines in and around the Region.
 March 2016
Obama Administration Announces $65.8 Million Available for Economic and Workforce Development in Coal-Impacted Communities
On March 17, 2016, ARC and the U.S. Economic Development Administration announced the availability of $65.8 million through the Obama Administration’s POWER Initiative to help coal-impacted communities and regions develop new strategies for economic growth and worker advancement.
 February 2016
Appalachian Regional Commission Announces $45,000 Grant to the Regional Planning Commission of Greater Birmingham to Promote Public Health
The ARC award is part of an effort by the Health Impact Project, a collaboration of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the Pew Charitable Trusts, to promote health in Appalachian and southern states.
 February 2016
$120 Million for Appalachian Regional Commission Included in FY 2017 Presidential Budget Request to Congress
The administration's proposed fiscal year 2017 funding for ARC includes $70 million for the Commission's base area development program and $50 million to implement the multi-agency POWER Initiative.
 February 2016
Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam Named 2016 Appalachian Regional Commission States’ Co-Chair
Haslam was selected by his fellow Appalachian governors to serve in the role of states' co-chair for the Commission for 2016.
 January 2016
Six Appalachian Communities Receive 2016 Federal Local Foods, Local Places Awards to Integrate Local Food Strategies into Main Street Revitalization and Public Health Efforts
The Appalachian communities are among the 27 awardees nationwide who will receive technical support to integrate local food into their community development strategies to help create economic opportunity, improve access to healthy local food, and revitalize rural downtowns and main streets.