LEXINGTON, Ky. — The Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) recently awarded nearly $9 million in grants to coal communities in Kentucky, part of $46.4 million in grants given in Appalachia to provide workforce training and education, promote entrepreneurship and support infrastructure.
What You Need To Know
- More than $46 million awarded in Appalachia
- 54 counties in Kentucky are considered Appalachian
- Appalachian Regional Commission grants aimed at communities affected by coal
- More grants expected in the near future
ARC invested the grants through the Partnerships for Opportunity and Workforce and Economic Revitalization (POWER) Initiative. The projects will create and retain 9,187 jobs, attract nearly $519.5 million in leveraged private investments, and be matched by more than $59.2 million in other public and private funds across the region, according to ARC.
“The downturn of the coal industry has impacted economies across Appalachia. That’s why ARC’s POWER initiative helps to leverage regional partnerships and collaborations to support efforts to create a more vibrant economic future for coal-impacted communities,” said Gayle Manchin, ARC federal co-chair in a news release. “Many of the projects we announced will invest in educating and training the Appalachian workforce, nurturing entrepreneurship, and supporting infrastructure — including broadband access. These investments are critical in leveling the economic playing field so Appalachian communities can thrive.”
The POWER Initiative targets federal resources to help communities and regions that have been affected by job losses in coal mining, coal power plant operations, and coal-related supply chain industries due to the changing economics of America’s energy production.
The ARC awards announced in early Sept. is the largest POWER grant package to date, which also aims to leverage entrepreneurship, workforce development, and infrastructure to bolster re-employment opportunities, create jobs in existing or new industries and attract new sources of investment.
“As our economy recovers from the impacts of COVID-19, it is critical to invest in Appalachia,” said Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam, ARC states’ co-chair. “ARC’s POWER initiative will continue to build on the region’s strengths and address its challenges, driving growth and opportunity throughout Appalachia. These projects demonstrate how regional collaboration can spur innovation, encourage entrepreneurs, diversify our economy, and support the critical infrastructure needed to bridge the digital divide, all of which will allow Appalachian communities to recover and flourish.”
A POWER Grant of $508,076 was awarded to Pikeville Medical Center’s Medical Training Facility and Career Development Center in Pike County. The project will help equip a medical training facility and career center to serve existing staff, health care students and community members in seven economically distressed counties. Facility participants will receive collaborative learning opportunities and career guidance while strengthening the area’s health care workforce and addressing a shortage of rural clinical health care providers.
Kansas Justice, PMC chief operating officer said in a statement, "Facility participants will receive collaborative learning opportunities and career guidance while strengthening the area’s health care workforce and addressing a shortage of rural clinical health care providers. The project will take advantage of a prior POWER grant for PMC’s Children’s Hospital. PMC will partner with Shaping Our Appalachian Region (SOAR), Eastern Kentucky Concentrated Employment Program (EKCEP), Big Sandy Community and Technical College, UK Healthcare, and local school systems to implement effective programs based on local need and connect community members of all ages to opportunities. The project is expected to create 15 new jobs at the facility, improve the skills of 1,712 workers/trainees, and serve 11,351 patients in its first year."
The project takes advantage of a previous POWER grant for PMC’s Children’s Hospital.
PMC will partner with Shaping Our Appalachian Region (SOAR), Eastern Kentucky Concentrated Employment Program (EKCEP), Big Sandy Community and Technical College, UK Healthcare, and local school systems to implement effective programs based on local needs and connect community members of all ages to opportunities. The project is expected to create 15 new jobs at the facility, improve the skills of 1,712 workers and trainees, and serve 11,351 patients in its first year.
Since 2015, ARC has invested more than $287.8 million for 362 projects in 353 counties across Appalachia through the POWER Initiative. Fifty-four of Kentucky’s 120 counties are located in the area defined as Appalachia by the ARC, all in Eastern Kentucky, and include around 1 million residents in the commonwealth.
The number of Kentucky counties rated as distressed has not markedly improved since the inception of ARC in 1965. Three of the 54 ARC counties in Kentucky are reported as in transition, while 13 of 54 counties are listed as “at-risk” and the remaining 38 counties are designated as “distressed.” No Kentucky ARC county is designated as “competitive” or “attainable.”
A complete list of Kentucky's POWER grants is available here. ARC plans to announce additional POWER projects later this year.