On May 18, 2016, planners and leaders from many West Virginia communities impacted by the downturn in the coal industry learned more about how to prepare for the next chapter of their hometown.
The Appalachian Regional Commission staged a regional workshop to familiarize those leaders about how they can draw down funding set aside in Washington for redevelopment of coalfield communities in the region. The program is called the “ARC POWER Initiative.”
“The ARC is on a path forward to have available $100 Million to invest in coal impacted communities for economic diversification over the next 21 months,” said Earl Gohl, Federal Co-Chairman of the Appalachian Regional Commission. “When we say ‘coal impacted communities’ we mean communities affected by mine closures, communities that have been part of the supply chain in the mining industry, and communities who experience coal fired power plants being shuttered.”
Because of the robust funding available, the grants will need strong language and well thought out goals and plans to reach those goals.
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