In The Region - June 27, 2024 | Volume 9, Issue 26

Written By Brian JR Williamson

Like many of y'all, we're off next Thursday in honor of the Fourth of July. We'll see you back here on July 11! 

ARC NEWS

Lowest Number of Distressed Counties in 19 Years

Today, we released our Fiscal Year 2025 economic status designations for Appalachia’s 423 counties.

Record Lowest Number of Economically Distressed Counties in 19 Years

In FY 2025, the number of Appalachian counties designated as economically distressed will decrease to 77.

This is the lowest number since ARC began using this index-based classification system for counties 19 years ago.

Improvement comes from a decrease in the number of distressed counties in Appalachian Georgia, Mississippi and West Virginia. No state experienced an increase in the number of distressed counties.

Work remains to ensure that all of Appalachia experiences upward growth. Seventeen of Appalachia’s counties experienced a decline in economic status. 

We use these designations to set grant match rates, monitor trends and direct investments to the region's most distressed communities. Learn more about the FY 2025 data.

Charting Economic Data Across Appalachia

Our 14th annual update of "The Chartbook" is here! 📊 Updated in partnership with the Population Reference Bureau, this report provides 300K+ data points on Appalachia's population, education, employment and more.

From 2018-2022, Appalachia saw continual improvements in:Overall income. Income increased and poverty rates declined in every subregion, state and type of county (urban and rural).Educational attainment. As of 2022, more than one in four Appalachians age 25 or older reached or surpassed a bachelor's degree. Employment. More than 95% of the labor force is employed. Broadband access. The share of households with broadband internet increased by 12 percentage points between 2013-17 and 2018-22.However, there is still important work ahead to address persistent poverty rates and digital divides, particularly in the region's rural communities.

Dive into the data!

Taking PRIDE In Belonging

This PRIDE Month, we're featuring LGBTQ+ Appalachians who are helping their communities thrive, like Amy Camp. Amy is an Appalachian Leadership Institute fellow and founder of Cycle Forward in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Passionate about creating cultures of belonging both on- and off-trail. 

"We all belong to the outdoors, and celebrations like Pride Month demonstrate to anyone who’s questioning their place in Appalachia that there’s more than a single narrative or demographic," she says. "There’s a place for you here." 🏳️‍🌈

COMMUNITY

FedCo on country roads! 🚗 This week, Federal Co-Chair Gayle Manchin was in Mercer County, West Virginia.

In Bluefield, she and local leaders explored a food truck incubatorusing $400K in ARC funds.

In Charleston, she attended the ribbon cutting of the newly expanded West Virginia Health Right clinic. 

See more of her travels in the Mountain State!

Applications are due July 5 for the READY Community Foundations training opportunity! Participants eligible for the six-week virtual training will be equipped with tools and skills to strengthen operations, programming and fundraising. 

EVENTS 

Broadband Bootcamp 2.0
Sessions run through July 2, 2024; virtual

DDAA 2024 Professional Development Seminar
July 16-17, 2024; Huntington, West Virginia

Alabama - ARC Application Workshop
July 18, 2024; Montgomery, Alabama

South Carolina - ARC Application Workshop
July 22, 2024; Greenville, South Carolina

Advancing Appalachia: 2024 ARC Annual Conference
September 4-5, 2024; Chattanooga, Tennessee 

Are you hosting a webinar or event involving Appalachian community and economic development? Let us know at conferences@arc.gov and we'll add it here. 

Brian JR Williamson https://www.limegroupllc.com/
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In The Region - June 8, 2023 | Volume 8, Issue 23