Washington, DC, Oct. 29, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Today, the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) awarded $33.5 million to 12 collaborative, multi-state projects that will drive large-scale economic transformation. Funded through ARC’s Appalachian Regional Initiative for Stronger Economies (ARISE), these projects bring together more than 145 partners across all 13 Appalachian states to strengthen workforce and educational opportunities, infrastructure and entrepreneurship.
Additionally, this ARISE funding package includes a $10 million grant to Appalachian Service Project that will build a multi-state network for home repair and disaster response and recovery. This project was developed in the wake of historic flooding in Eastern Kentucky in 2022, but will be critical for current and future recovery, including Hurricane Helene’s devastating impact in Southern Appalachia. Furthermore, this project exemplifies the long-term capacity building support ARC is able to provide for Appalachian communities recovering from natural disasters.
The 12 ARISE projects announced today include:
| Grantee | States Impacted | Grant Amount and Project Summary |
| American Association of Community Colleges | All 13 states | $10 million to create a network for cybersecurity workforce development |
| Appalachian Service Project | KY, TN, VA | $10 million to establish a natural disaster recovery and home rebuild network |
| Volunteer Energy Cooperative | GA, NC, TN | $10 million to develop battery supply chains and deploy utility-scale batteries for energy affordability and conservation |
| Appalachian Regional Healthcare, Inc. | KY, TN, VA, WV | $500,000 to develop a plan for a health task force and pilot programs for mobile healthcare |
| New River Conservancy | NC, VA, WV | $500,000 to develop a plan for an expansion of the New River Water Trail |
| Teach for America | KY, TN, VA, WV | $500,000 to expand a recruitment and retention model for educators |
| Tennessee Tech University | PA, TN, VA | $500,000 to plan for the implementation of the region’s first-ever quantum network |
| NEXT, LLC (NextGEN) | NC, SC | $472,237 to streamline and strengthen mentorship programs and resources for entrepreneurs |
| Grow Ohio Valley | OH, PA, WV | $418,000 to develop a plan to create a sustainable network of food and energy systems |
| University of Pittsburgh | PA, WV | $292,800 to develop a plan for biotech workforce development and engagement |
| DRIVE (Driving Real Innovation for a Vibrant Economy) | NC, NY, OH, PA, TN, WV | $189,720 to build an incubation network for small businesses and entrepreneurs |
| Northern State Community College | KY, NC, TN, VA | $120,806 to build a network for aviation industry education |
“ARC’s ARISE initiative builds upon the longstanding tradition of Appalachian collaboration and encourages organizations to work together across state lines to create long-term, regional economic success,” said ARC Federal Co-Chair Gayle Manchin. “I congratulate our newest ARISE grantees and am proud that these projects not only impact all 13 Appalachian states, but also provide critical funding for economic development at a time when many in the region are beginning recovery from Hurricane Helene.”
Federal Co-Chair Gayle Manchin announced the new ARISE awards in Beckley, West Virginia, alongside federal, state and local partners during a federal grant writing training. Hosted by ARC grantee WV Community Development Hub, the training also featured partners from Energy Communities IWG and USDA West Virginia Rural Development, who announced a new West Virginia Rapid Response Team (RRT). The West Virginia RRT will work to strengthen networks of assistance to catalyze projects that help energy communities across the state grow, diversify and transform their economies for long-term success.
Today’s announcement is the largest single award package ARC has invested through ARISE to date.
"The ARISE program’s investment in multi-state projects ranging from disaster recovery to workforce development exemplify the impact of ARC’s federal-state partnership,” said ARC 2024 States’ Co-Chair, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee. “We are proud Tennessee is engaged in eight of these projects and look forward to seeing how they positively impact communities in the Appalachian Region."
With support from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, ARC has now invested $121.8 million in 46 ARISE projects to support the development of new economic opportunities across all 13 Appalachian states.
“Supported by Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding, these ARISE awards show the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to help America’s hardest-hit communities make a comeback from historic weather disasters across Kentucky, Tennessee, and Virginia,” said Lael Brainard, White House National Economic Advisor.
To learn more about ARISE, visit www.arc.gov/ARISE. To learn more about the new ARISE grantees, visit https://www.arc.gov/grants-and-opportunities/arise/arise-project-summaries/.
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About the Appalachian Regional Commission
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.
