ARC awards nearly $54M to advance economic diversification in Appalachia’s coal-impacted communities
The Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) last week awarded nearly $54 million to 64 projects in 217 counties through its POWER (Partnerships for Opportunity and Workforce and Economic Revitalization) Initiative, which directs federal resources to economic diversification projects in Appalachian communities affected by job losses in coal mining, coal power plant operations, and coal-related supply chain industries. This is the largest single POWER awards package to date since the initiative launched in 2015.
“From workforce training and agriculture, to downtown development and broadband expansion, the projects receiving grants in this round of POWER funding show that the future of Appalachia’s coal-impacted communities is economically diverse and innovative,” said ARC Federal Co-Chair Gayle Manchin. “Projects like these are resulting in life-changing transformations, which in turn, not only provides new economic opportunities, but brings a renewed sense of hope and purpose across our Appalachian Region.”
ARC’s $54 million investment will support workforce development, agriculture and food economies, tourism, entrepreneurship and more to help create jobs in new or existing industries, expand skills training, and attract more than $247 million in private investments in Appalachian communities affected by the downturn of the coal industry.
Area projects (of the 11 total Ohio projects) include:
Project Title: Portsmouth Riverfront Development
Grantee: City of Portsmouth, Ohio
Award Amount: $1,500,000
Project Summary: ARC grant of $1,500,000 to the City of Portsmouth, for the Portsmouth Riverfront Development project. The project will replace a 78-year-old cobblestone boat ramp with a new Ohio River public access boat ramp and launch, parking lot and access road, in the historic riverfront area of downtown Portsmouth. This project will bolster regional tourism by highlighting the regional Underground Railroad history for Portsmouth and Scioto County. It will also connect the city to The Ohio River National Freedom Corridor, which promotes the Ohio River Corridor as a world-class tourism experience. Riverfront development will be a catalyst for downtown tourism, drawing recreational boaters to discover the historic Boneyfiddle District shops, eateries, and lodging accommodations and Portsmouth's Underground Railroad history. The project will highlight regional Appalachian points of interest for visitors and will include signage with QR codes for visitor bureaus in six additional Appalachian counties in Kentucky and Ohio. This is the first phase of an expansive riverfront rehabilitation project devoted to honoring and revealing the Underground Railroad history of Portsmouth. The City of Portsmouth will partner with the Ohio Valley Regional Development Commission to complete the boat ramp and launch over the course of approximately two and a half years.
Project Title: Youth Leadership Association Cave Lake Center for Community Leadership
Grantee: Ohio–West Virginia Youth Leadership Association
Award Amount: $49,900
Project Summary: ARC grant of $49,900 to Ohio–West Virginia Youth Leadership Association in Latham for Youth Leadership Association Cave Lake Center for
Community Leadership project. This project will support the Ohio–West Virginia Youth Leadership Association (YLA) plan for the expansion of facilities in Pike County and enhance and grow its Cave Lake Center for Community Leadership program. The training program helps high school students and young adults develop leadership skills to help their communities reverse the negative impact of coal plant closures and job loss through building an entrepreneurial, cultural and civic foundation for economic renewal. One strategic plan for the Youth Leadership Association Cave Lake Center for Community Leadership will be created by the end of the grant period.
A complete list of project summaries can be found at https://www.arc.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/POWER-Award-Summaries-Oc….
A new ARC report, Coal Production and Employment in Appalachia, indicates just how much these investments are needed. Between 2011 and 2022, coal industry employment in Appalachia fell by 62 percent, compared with nearly 43 percent in the rest of the United States.
“The POWER Initiative is empowering the people and communities of Appalachia and helping us build a brighter future, full of opportunity,” said ARC 2023 States’ Co-Chair, Governor Andy Beshear. “These investments will help train our workers, expand new industries and build upon the progress being made in this important region. We’re grateful for ARC’s partnership as we continue to bring new industry and opportunity to Appalachia.”
Including this award package, ARC has invested over $420 million in 507 projects impacting 365 coal-impacted counties since POWER was established in 2015. These ARC’s investments are projected to create or retain more than 53,000 jobs and prepare over 142,000 workers and students for new opportunities in entrepreneurship, broadband, tourism and other growing industries.
ARC plans to release a notice of solicitations of applications (NOSA) for the POWER Initiative in early 2024. To learn more about the awardees and their work to boost industries that create a stronger economic future for Appalachia, visit www.arc.gov/POWER.
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.