Business

Access to Capital and Credit for Small Businesses in Appalachia: Summary Findings, by the National Community Reinvestment Coalition for the Appalachian Regional Commission, January 2007. This report provides an assessment of the access to capital and credit for small business in the Appalachian Region. The findings provide reasons to be optimistic about the capacity of the Region to close identified capital and credit gaps, particularly the favorable comparison between Appalachia and the nation on key indicators of lending. In addition, Appalachia has a lending infrastructure that includes about 227 banks and savings and loans with more than $500 billion in assets, and a sector of alternative lending institutions featuring over 100 community development financial institutions (CDFIs). This study also reviewed the role of alternative financial institutions in the Region, including Revolving Loan Funds (RLFs), microenterprise lending programs, community development credit unions and development venture capital funds. Overall, these community development financial institutions placed a strong emphasis on business lending, but were not financed by banks to the same extent as their national peers. Instead, these institutions relied to a much greater degree on capital from government sources.
Report in PDF (1391 KB) | Table of Contents

Displacement in Appalachia and the Non-Appalachian United States, 1993-2003: Findings Based on Five Displaced Workers Surveys, by Stephan Herzenberg, Mark Price, and Howard Wial. Keystone Research Center, 2005. This report looks at worker displacement in the Appalachian region during the past decade. It uses the Displaced Worker Survey (DWS) conducted every two years by the Census Bureau and Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) as a supplement to the Current Population Survey (CPS). It relies on the past five DWS surveys, conducted in 1996, 1998, 2000, 2002, and 2004. Each DWS asks workers about displacement experience in the previous three years. Therefore, the research in this report covers the experience of workers displaced during the periods 1993-1995, 1995-1997, 1997-1999, 1999-2001, and 2001-2003.
Report in PDF (115 KB) | Table of Contents

Underemployment in Appalachia and the Rest of the United States, 1996-2004, by Mark Price and Howard Wial, Keystone Research Center, 2005. Conventional unemployment rates provide an incomplete measure of local labor market conditions, especially in poor rural regions. Unemployment, for example, does not include involuntary part-time workers; nor does it include discouraged workers who stop seeking work because they cannot find jobs. To get a more complete picture of labor markets in Appalachia, this data brief contains estimates of underemployment in Appalachia by state and by demographic group for each year from 1996 to 2004. These estimates are derived from the Current Population Survey (CPS). Although Appalachia per se is not identified in the CPS (and Displace Workers Survey), we construct a CPS sub-sample that approximates the Appalachian region of each state using the metropolitan geographic identifiers that are available. impact of displacement than on developing a comprehensive and strategic long-term response.
Report in PDF (117 KB) | Table of Contents

Creating Regional Advantages in Appalachia: Towards a Strategic Response to Global Economic Restructuring, by the Keystone Research Center, ARC, April 2005. This report documents the findings of field research in seven Appalachian states on responses to worker displacement and economic restructuring. (The seven states are New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia, Kentucky, North Carolina, and Georgia.) This field research complements quantitative analysis of worker displacement in Appalachia from 1993-2003. The case studies found that Appalachia has experienced significant economic distress especially beginning in 2001 (earlier in some places) and that worse may be yet to come, especially in Southern Appalachia. Most case study regions had developed systems of responding to layoffs and connecting dislocated workers to services. In many regions, however, the overall response to restructuring has been reactive, with more energy and activity focused on coping with the direct impact of displacement than on developing a comprehensive and strategic long-term response.
Report in PDF (256 KB) | Table of Contents

Assessing the Impact of Trade Liberalization on Import-Competing Industries in the Appalachian Region, by Andrew B. Bernard Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth and NBER, J. Bradford Jensen, Institute for International Economics, and Peter K. Schott, Yale School of Management and NBER, 2005. This report details the significant pressure Appalachian manufacturing will face from import competition over the near and medium term and the relatively larger industrial and community adjustments that the Region faces compared to the rest of the US. The report analyzes the share of manufacturing imports from low-wage countries like China and India over the past 30 years. These low-wage imports are concentrated in relatively labor-intensive industries such as apparel and footwear and are relatively absent in capital-intensive, technology-intensive sectors such as transportation.The arrival of low-wage imports in a sector is associated with a higher probability of manufacturing plant closure as well as lower employment and output growth. Appalachian manufacturing employment and output are concentrated in industries facing high exposure to imports from low-wage countries, especially in textiles, apparel, furniture, rubber and plastic products, electronic and electrical products and lumber and wood products. Within industries, plants in the Appalachian region are less skill-intensive and less productive than elsewhere in the US. Appalachian manufacturing is therefore more exposed to the effects of imports from low-wage countries. The report forecasts the low-wage import shares in the next decade. By 2011, low-wage countries are predicted to account for 24 percent of all US imports, up from 15 percent in 1991. More importantly, the increase will be greatest in low-wage, labor-intensive industries, precisely those sectors that are over-represented in the Appalachian region. And, while tariffs and transportation costs are not expected to undergo substantial changes in the medium term, the next decade will bring continued pressure on firms in labor-intensive industries and on firms with a labor-intensive product mix in all industries. Developments in trade policy are unlikely to dramatically alter these forecasts.
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Meeting the Transportation Challenges of the 21st Century: Economic Benefits of Intermodal Efficiencies, by the Rahall Transportation Institute and Wilbur Smith Associates, December 2004.
The purpose of this section of the study is to estimate the potential economic impacts of increased transportation efficiencies that can result from intermodal improvements. Three of the intermodal case studies identified in the earlier phases of the research were selected for economic impact analysis, including the Trans-Tennessee Railroad, the Prichard Intermodal Yard (part of the Central Corridor Doublestack Initiative), and the Port of Pittsburgh Container-on-Barge projects. The selection was based on the availability of data, the diversity of the projects, and the commitment of sponsoring agencies regarding the projects. No construction impacts, safety benefits, or long-term strategic development impacts are included in this analysis. The purpose of the current analysis is to provide some insight into the potential benefits of intermodal investment in the ARC Region, rather than serve as a major investment study.
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Meeting the Transportation Challenges of the 21st Century: Intermodal Case Studies, by the Rahall Transportation Institute and Wilbur Smith Associates, December 2004.
This report builds on the companion regional study of commodity movements within and between the Appalachian Region and the rest of the world by transportation mode to identify exemplary case studies of intermodal initiatives and opportunities in the Appalachian Region. Examples represent only a sampling of transportation opportunities within the Region. The case studies represent a range of examples, from projects that have already been implemented, to projects that are being planned, to project concepts that are still being evaluated. Taken together, however, these case studies provide concrete examples of how intermodal transportation infrastructure can strategically stimulate and support economic development in Appalachia.
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Meeting the Transportation Challenges of the 21st Century: Intermodal Opportunities in the Appalachian Region, by the Rahall Transportation Institute and Wilbur Smith Associates, December 2004.
This report identifies strategic development opportunities to leverage higher utilization of the transportation capabilities of the ADHS, rail, water, and air transportation systems in the Appalachian Region through regional intermodal transportation facilities. The study assesses how transportation reliability and congestion at key freight consolidation nodes of national trade gateways could increase the logistics value of the ADHS and potential intermodal sites in Appalachia, including inland ports. The report provides transportation and economic development planners an assessment of national and regional forecasts of transportation and trade flows for future regional transportation demands.
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Analysis of Global Competitiveness of Selected Industries and Clusters in the Appalachian Region, by Jack Faucett Associates and the Economic Development Research Group, November 2004.
This report details current export trends and future market prospects for 12 major industry groups of Appalachia, with detailed analysis of seven key industry clusters (auto parts, electronic components, food-processing machinery, packaging machinery, wooden furniture, upholstered furniture, and educational services). The analysis details regional export trends in dollar volume, growth rates, import/domestic competition, and industry specialization, and examines the unique export issues of services exports with a detailed case study of educational services in the Appalachian Region. In addition, the study assesses export needs by transportation modes, and commodity flows by trade corridors (airport, seaport, highway, rail, and intermodal hubs) used by regional companies for current export and import activity. Finally, the report analyzes the impact of existing trade agreements and likely impacts of future trade liberalization agreements on the trade competitiveness and export potential of major industry groups.
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Labor Market Performance, Poverty, and Income Inequality in Appalachia, by Dan A. Black, Syracuse University; and Seth G. Sanders, University of Maryland, September 2004.
This study examines the performance of the Appalachian economy and how residents of Appalachia fared between 1990 and 2000. The report addresses two key questions: how distressed counties have fared since 1990 and how Appalachia has fared over the last 30 years relative to areas that historically faced similar conditions.
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The Appalachian Economy, Establishment and Employment Dynamics, 1982–1997: Evidence from the Longitudinal Business Database, by Lucia Foster, January 2004.
This report describes the Appalachian Region's economy in terms of the entry and exit of establishments and their wage and employment dynamics and compares these to the rest of the U.S. economy from 1982 to 1997. While the report provides a detailed description of the entire economy of Appalachia, special attention is paid to the producer services portion of the economy. Producer services are services sold primarily to other establishments to be used as inputs in production and include such activities as financial services, insurance and real estate services, advertising, building maintenance services, equipment rentals, employment services, computer and data processing services, legal services, engineering, and management. Producer services are an increasingly important component of the U.S. economy. In addition, the three subregions of Appalachia are also analyzed.
Executive Summary | Report in PDF (200 KB) | Report in HTML

Regional Technology Assets and Opportunities: The Geographic Clustering of High-Tech Industry, Science and Innovation in Appalachia, by Edward Feser and Harvey Goldstein, August 2002.
This study identifies sub-regional concentrations of businesses, universities, colleges, and labs that involve technology-related employment, R&D, and applied innovation within and adjacent to ARC's 406 counties. The study found 100 technology clusters in eight technology areas: chemicals and plastics; motor vehicles and related; industrial machinery; information technology and instruments; aerospace; communications services and software; and pharmaceuticals and medical technologies. Chemicals and plastics, industrial machinery, and motor vehicles and related account for a majority of the technology clusters.
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Evaluation of the Appalachian Regional Commission's Vocational Education and Workforce Training Projects, by Westat Corporation, January 2002.
This study examined 92 projects, including workforce and displaced-worker training, vocational education, apprenticeships, and basic and adult literacy projects that were started and completed during the 1995–2000 period. The study looked at the impact of these sample projects on participants in terms of basic and vocational skills, employability, and employment gains. In addition, five case-study site visits were conducted.
Executive Summary | Report in PDF (1.3 MB) | Report in HTML

Analysis of Business Formation, Survival, and Attrition Rates of New and Existing Firms and Related Job Flows in Appalachia, by the Brandow Company, October 2001.
To better understand the experience of entrepreneurs and existing businesses in the Appalachian Region, the Appalachian Regional Commission funded a longitudinal economic analysis of business formation, survival, and attrition rates for new and existing firms. Detail is provided by industry and employment-size classes for the Region, its local development districts, and major metropolitan areas.
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An Assessment of Labor Force Participation Rates and Underemployment in Appalachia, by David H. Bradley, Stephen A. Herzenberg, and Howard Wial, August 2001.
This study provides county-level measures of labor force participation and underemployment rates for the years 1993 to 1998. Underemployment and labor force participation rates both reveal better than unemployment the higher degree of labor market surplus in Appalachia compared to the United States as a whole. The report also examines how the Region's sectoral composition and economic base correlated with labor market experience. To gain further insight into how policy makers and practitioners might promote more successful economic development, the authors interviewed eight economic development practitioners from local development districts with low underemployment and unemployment.
Executive Summary | Report in PDF (350 KB) | Report in HTML

Manufacturing Wage Inequality in the Appalachian Region: 1963-1992, by James K. Galbraith, University of Texas, May 2001.
This study examines the inequality in manufacturing pay between manufacturing plants within states and counties of the United States, and compares these trends with those in Appalachia over the 1963 to 1992 period. For comparative purposes the analysis of manufacturing pay inequality proceeds from the national, to the state and county level, to the regional level. Overall the study finds that during prosperous times such as 1963-67, the preponderance of counties experienced rising wages and falling inequality. In tougher times, such as 1977-82, falling wages and rising inequality predominate. In the1983 to 1992 period, the regional trend toward widening inequality of pay mirrored the national pattern. Data are drawn from the non-public tabulations of the Longitudinal Research Database of the Bureau of the Census. Readers should note that more recent longitudinal data covering the last half of the 1990s only became available for special tabulations in 2003.
Executive Summary | Report in PDF (2 MB) | Report in HTML

Evaluation of the Early Stages of the Appalachian Regional Commission's Entrepreneurship Initiative, by Regional Technology Strategies, March 2001.
This study provided an early evaluation of the Appalachian Regional Commission's entrepreneurship program. The report evaluated 24 entrepreneurship projects that were completed or nearly completed during the 1997–2000 period and reported on their impact on business formation and businesses and participants served.
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A Study on the Current Economic Impacts of the Appalachian Coal Industry and its Future in the Region, by Mark Berger and Eric Thompson, University of Kentucky, March 2001.
This study found that, for the 118 Appalachian coal-producing counties, the total economic impact of the coal mining industry output–including the multiplier effect–was $18.4 billion in 1997, while the direct impact was imately $12.4 billion. The total employment impact was 135,000, while the direct impact was 60,000 jobs. Forecasts for the Appalachian coal industry's future found that industry earnings and employment are expected to drop by 25 percent to 30 percent by the year 2010, depending on economic assumptions and various environmental policies.
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An Analysis of the Economic Development Role of Business Associations and Other Intermediary Organizations Serving Appalachian Industries, Volume I: Report and Volume II: Appendix, by Lynn McCormick, April 2000.
This report examines the economic development role of business associations and shows how collaboration among firms through business associations and other entities can increase the participating firms' competitiveness. Volume II provides an analysis of industrial specialization within each Appalachian state and lists the major trade or business associations serving the key industries within the Appalachian Region.
Executive Summary | Report in PDF (850 KB) | Report in HTML

The Economic Impact of Tobacco Production in Appalachia, by Lawrence E. Wood, Intern, Appalachian Regional Commission, November 1998.
This study examines the distribution and economic impact of burley tobacco production in the Appalachian Region and the long-term diversification options.
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Birth and Death of Manufacturing Plants and Restructuring in Appalachia's Industrial Economy, 1963–1992: Evidence from the Longitudinal Research Database, by J. Bradford Jensen, H. John Heinz III School of Public Policy and Management, Carnegie Mellon Census Research Data Center, February 1998.
This report paints a statistical portrait of Appalachia's manufacturing sector, focusing on the rate of entry and exit of new and old establishments, the pay and productivity characteristics of plants in Appalachia, the role of branch plants in the Region, and whether there is significant variation in these measures within Appalachia. The picture is mixed: Manufacturing in Appalachia, relative to the rest of the country, looks much the same in 1992 as it did in 1967--lower wage, lower productivity, and still highly reliant on branch plants.
Report in PDF (150 KB) | Report in HTML

Demographics

Emerging Patterns of Population Redistribution and Migration in Appalachia, by Daniel T. Lichter, Jillian Wooten, Michael Cardella, Mary L. Marshall, Initiative in Population Research, The Ohio State University, April 2005.
This report examines recent changes in patterns of Appalachian population change and migration. First, it analyzes the patterns of migration between Appalachia and the rest of the nation during the 1990s and early 2000s. Is Appalachia losing population in its exchange of people, including its most educated and skilled (the so-called "best and brightest"), with other regions of the United States? Second, it evaluates geographic disparities in flows of population within Appalachia, including migration flows between Appalachian metropolitan and non-metropolitan counties classified according to the Appalachian Regional Commission's (ARC) distress code. Third, it examines patterns of educational selectivity among inter-county migrants--i.e., whether some kinds of Appalachian counties have lost their young and most highly educated people while other people have become essentially ghettoized in place. Fourth, it documents some of the dominant migration streams within Appalachia and between Appalachia and other regions by using the 2000 county-to-county migration file from the 2000 Census.
Report in PDF (1.7 MB) | Report in HTML

Changing Patterns of Poverty and Spatial Inequality in Appalachia, by Daniel T. Lichter, and Lori Ann Campbell, Initiative in Population Research, The Ohio State University,
April 2005.
This report addresses the extent of socioeconomic inequality and poverty in Appalachia during the economic boom period of the 1990s. The statistical portrait of poverty in Appalachia focuses on changing rates of poverty along several important dimensions: age, education, race and ethnicity, labor force participation, and family structure. Where relevant, the Report compares residents of Appalachia to residents of the non-Appalachia United States. The analysis highlights significant geographic differences within Appalachia by contrasting recent poverty trends in the various regions of Appalachia (i.e., Northern, Central and Southern); in rural and urban areas; and across counties with different histories of economic distress and development (i.e., the Appalachian Region Commission's typology of distressed, transitional, competitive, and attainment counties).
Report in PDF (749 KB) | Report in HTML

Population Growth and Distribution in Appalachia: New Realities, by Kelvin M. Pollard, Population Reference Bureau,
January 2005.
Using data from the decennial census and selected other sources, this report examines Appalachia's population trends between 1990 and 2000. While the principal focus is on developments since 1990, the report also looks at the historical trends that helped shape current developments. This study compares Appalachia to the rest of the United States, and changes within the three major subregions, the 13 states that are part of the official Appalachian region, counties at different levels of economic development, and urban and rural Appalachia. Finally, the report examines the impact of natural increase and net migration on the Region, and look at what might lie ahead for Appalachia's demographics beyond 2000.
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A "New Diversity": Race and Ethnicity in the Appalachian Region, by Kelvin M. Pollard, Population Reference Bureau,
September 2004.
This report looks at the post–1990 racial and ethnic diversity of Appalachia, examining its geographic concentrations, its contributing factors, and its breakdown by racial and ethnic minority group. The study also analyzes how Appalachia's increased racial and ethnic diversity affects selected economic and social developments in the Region; it concludes with an examination of the potential implications of these growing trends.
Report in PDF (577 KB) | Report in HTML

Educational Attainment in Appalachia, by John Haaga, Population Reference Bureau, July 2004.
This paper focuses on what Census 2000 data reveal about the persistence of regional differences in high school completion and tertiary education, essential predictors of how populations will fare in a global, knowledge-based economy in the new century.
Introduction | Report in PDF (300 KB) | Report in HTML

The Aging of Appalachia, by John Haaga, Population Reference Bureau, July 2004.
This report uses data from Census 2000 to show how and why the age structure of the Appalachian population differs from the national average and varies within the Region. The report examines implications for the region and argues that they are not all negative. The changing age structure will be an important fact of life for decisionmakers in both the public and private sectors in Appalachia in coming years--but the Appalachian Region will hardly be alone in dealing with the challenges.
Introduction | Report in PDF (500 KB) | Report in HTML

Households and Families, by Mark Mather, May 2004.
This report analyzes trends in household and family structure in Appalachia from 1990 to 2000. The lack of jobs in the Appalachian Region--combined with the recent declines in public assistance income--presents special challenges to families living in Appalachia's poorest communities. This report investigates household and family change in the context of Appalachia's unique economic environment, with a focus on female-headed families, families with children, nonfamily households, and households headed by older Americans. Racial/ethnic, rural/urban, and regional trends in Appalachia are compared with trends in the United States as a whole.
Introduction | Report in PDF (1.3 MB) | Report in HTML

Housing and Commuting Patterns in Appalachia, by Mark Mather, January 2004.
This report analyzes trends in housing characteristics and commuting patterns in Appalachia from 1990 to 2000. Data for Appalachia are compared with those for the United States as a whole, with special attention to racial/ethnic, rural/urban, and regional variations. The study focuses on trends in homeownership, housing quality, travel time to work, vehicle ownership, and the spatial mismatch between the locations of new jobs and the residences of poor and low-income families.
Introduction | Report in PDF (1.8 MB) | Report in HTML

Appalachia at the Millennium: An Overview of Results from Census 2000, by Kelvin M. Pollard, Population Reference Bureau, June 2003.
Since a landmark 1964 report, the region known as Appalachia has been characterized mostly by its economic hardship and its geographic isolation. However, the 13-state area is far from homogeneous, containing pockets of rural isolation and parts of fast-growing metropolitan areas. Using data from the decennial census, this report provides a demographic, economic, and social portrait in the 410-county Appalachian Region at the dawn of the 21st century. The new century found a region that grew 9 percent during the 1990s, and was approaching levels of the rest of country in some aspects (while continuing to lag behind in others). Moreover, these developments had some wideranging variations among Appalachia's sub-regions and economic development categories.
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Distressed Counties

Trends in National and Regional Economic Distress: 1960 - 2000 by Lawrence E. Wood, Ohio University, 2005.
This report analyzes recent demographic data to examine the factors explaining the graduation of distressed counties and the persistence of distress in Appalachia and other regions of the U.S. Low levels of economic diversification are found to be a key determinant of persistent economic distress, as well as low educational attainment rates, low levels of employment in professional services, high population shares of minority groups, and greater distance from metropolitan areas. This report also examines ARC's individual distress indicators of poverty, unemployment and per capita market income to assess how well they perform in measuring changes over time.
Report in PDF (1.8 MB) | Report in HTML

Changing Patterns of Poverty and Spatial Inequality in Appalachia, by Daniel T. Lichter, and Lori Ann Campbell, Initiative in Population Research, The Ohio State University,
April 2005.
This report addresses the extent of socioeconomic inequality and poverty in Appalachia during the economic boom period of the 1990s. The statistical portrait of poverty in Appalachia focuses on changing rates of poverty along several important dimensions: age, education, race and ethnicity, labor force participation, and family structure. Where relevant, the Report compares residents of Appalachia to residents of the non-Appalachia United States. The analysis highlights significant geographic differences within Appalachia by contrasting recent poverty trends in the various regions of Appalachia (i.e., Northern, Central and Southern); in rural and urban areas; and across counties with different histories of economic distress and development (i.e., the Appalachian Region Commission's typology of distressed, transitional, competitive, and attainment counties).
Report in PDF (749 KB) | Report in HTML

Recent Trends in Poverty in the Appalachian Region: The Implications of the U.S. Census Bureau Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates on the ARC Distressed Counties Designation, by Roger Hammer, University of Wisconsin, Applied Population Laboratory, August 2000.
Recent poverty trends for Appalachia are examined in this report, which looks at how the use of the Census Bureau's annual Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates (SAIPE) would affect ARC's distressed county designations if the SAIPE were used to replace the decennial census estimates.
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Progress and Challenges in Reducing Economic Distress in Appalachia: An Analysis of National and Regional Trends Since 1960, by Lawrence E. Wood and Gregory A. Bischak, Appalachian Regional Commission, January 2000.
This report analyzes changes in the number of distressed counties in Appalachia and the entire United States for the census years 1960, 1970, 1980, and 1990, based on the Appalachian Regional Commission's current distress measure. By determining the total number of distressed counties in the entire United States, this research provides an historical benchmark for socioeconomic conditions in Appalachia relative to the rest of the nation.
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Building on Past Experiences: Creating a New Future for Distressed Counties, by Amy K. Glasmeier and Kurt Fuellhart, Pennsylvania State University, January 1999.
The development experience of the distressed counties is examined in this report through 19 case studies and an analysis of all distressed counties over a 15-year period. Distressed counties are those with poverty and unemployment rates that are more than 150 percent of the national rates and a per capita market income (i.e., per capita income less transfer payments) that is no more than two-thirds of the national average. The first section of the report presents case studies of 19 distressed counties that graduated from distressed status. The second part of the report examines the characteristics of all distressed counties for the period 1980–1994 to determine what factors contributed to their distressed status. The third part of the report develops an alternative distressed county index.
Executive Summary | Report in HTML

Education

Evaluation of the Appalachian Regional Commission Oak Ridge National Laboratory Summer Institute for Math/Science/Technology, by Linda Simkin and Valerie Futch, Academy for Educational Development, March 2006.
This report describes some of the key immediate and long-term outcomes achieved by the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC)–Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) Summer Institute for Math/Science/Technology for student and teacher participants. This two-week summer program provides high school students and teachers from the Appalachian region the opportunity to work with mentor scientists from ORNL on inquiry-based, applied projects in science, math, and computer technology. The institute culminates with group, student and teacher, presentations about their projects. Other planned activities are designed to promote teamwork, expose students to college opportunities, and promote pride in the cultural richness and historical importance of the Appalachian region.
Report Highlights (in HTML) | Report in PDF (767 KB) | Table of Contents

Educational Attainment in Appalachia, by John Haaga, July 2004.
This paper focuses on what Census 2000 data reveal about the persistence of regional differences in high school completion and tertiary education, essential predictors of how populations will fare in a global, knowledge-based economy in the new century.
Introduction | Report in PDF (300 KB) | Report in HTML

Evaluation of the Appalachian Regional Commission's Vocational Education and Workforce Training Projects, by the Westat Corporation, January 2002.
This study examined 92 projects, including workforce and displaced-worker training, vocational education, apprenticeships, and basic and adult literacy projects that were started and completed during the 1995–2000 period. The study looked at the impact of these sample projects on participants in terms of basic and vocational skills, employability, and employment gains. In addition, five case-study site visits were conducted.
Executive Summary | Report in PDF (1.3 MB) | Report in HTML

Collected Case Study Evaluations of the Appalachian Regional Commission's Educational Projects (Vol. 2), by Westat Corporation, March 2001.
This volume reports the lessons learned from eight best-practice case study evaluations in which local stakeholders were asked to identify project-related lessons they had learned from the projects. Cross-case comparison reveals that stakeholders attributed successful implementation to clear project vision and goals, community buy-in, thorough planning and design, tailored approach for targeted population, staff skill and commitment, integration of services, and strong local leadership.
Executive Summary | Report in PDF (500 KB) | Report in HTML

Evaluation of the Appalachian Regional Commission's Educational Projects: Final Report (Vol. 1), by Westat Corporation, March 2001.
This report evaluated the implementation and impact of 84 education projects funded by the Appalachian Regional Commission during the 1990s. The projects included adult and basic education, science and math curricula, distance learning, telecommunications and computers, drop-out prevention, teacher training, and preschool and childhood development. The study examined the type of activities that projects used to enhance learning opportunities, the extent to which these activities were implemented, and the accomplishments associated with these activities.
Executive Summary | Report in PDF (900 KB) | Report in HTML

Energy

Non-Renewable Energy Innovation: Research to Support the Appalachian Energy Initiative, Global Insight, Inc. September, 2006
Fundamental changes in the energy market imply a future characterized by a sustained higher level of oil and natural gas prices. Based on this expected market outlook, Appalachia may have significant non-renewable opportunities. The larger opportunities appear to be coal-related, including clean-coal generation and coal conversion to liquids, gases, and chemicals. Appalachia has the ability to participate in each and every one of these future non-renewable opportunities.
Summary | Report in PDF (748 KB) | Table of Contents

Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy in Appalachia: Policy and Potential by The Center for Business and Economic Research, Marshall University Huntington, West Virginia. August 28, 2006
The Appalachian Region is blessed with an abundance of alternative and renewable energy resources which can be developed to reduce the nation’s dependence on imported energy, generate environmental benefits, and create jobs and stronger economies in the Region. Most renewable energy technologies are in the early stages of development and commercialization. The report analyzes the distribution of these resources across the Appalachian Region examines the variety of programs and policies in each state and how these policies might maximize the use of the most abundant resources in each area of the Region.
Summary | Report in PDF (3.5 MB) | Table of Contents

Economic Development Potential of Conventional and Potential Alternative Energy Sources in Appalachian Counties by Amy Glasmeier, Penn State University and Tom Bell, Consulting Geologist June 21, 2006,
This report examines the economic development potential of energy resources in Appalachia. Part one explores a set of scenarios that are used by researchers to develop estimates of the job impacts of various energy consumption and production profiles. This data and analysis provides a foundation to discuss the potential economic impacts of these developments. Part two examines the geographic distribution of a range of non-renewable and renewable energy resources within the Appalachian Region. Part three examines in more detail the industrial base of sectors supplying the biomass, wind energy and solar sectors in the Region. Part four identifies industry and supply-chain opportunities and offers recommendations.
Summary | Report in PDF (4.7 MB) | Table of Contents

Summary of National and State Energy Policy Trends by The Keystone Institute, Washington, DC, August, 2006,
This report details how national and state level energy policies have focused on ensuring energy reliability and affordability, and advancing energy independence by reducing dependence on foreign energy sources.
Summary | Report in PDF (809 KB) | Table of Contents

Summary of the ARC-ORCAS Energy Workshops on Creating an Energy Blueprint for Appalachia by Oak Ridge Center for Advanced Studies, August, 2006,
Three energy roundtables were convened by the Appalachian Regional Commission to bring together energy technology, economic development, energy production, environmental, policy experts and citizens to discuss how national energy policy and market dynamics are likely to affect the competitive potential of energy resources and job development opportunities in the Appalachian Region over the next decade. The Oak Ridge Center for Advanced Studies (ORCAS), an independent research organization located in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, was chosen to organize, convene, facilitate, and report. This report summarizes overall findings from the workshops, provides recommendations for the Energy Blueprint’s development and implementation by the ARC, and then provides brief summaries of information discussed at the roundtables.
Summary | Report in PDF (767 KB) | Table of Contents

Evaluations

Economic Impact Study of Completing the Appalachian Development Highway System, by Cambridge Systematics, Inc., Economic Development Research Group, and HDR Decision Economics, June 2008.
This study assesses the travel performance, trade, and economic development impacts directly related to completing the Appalachian Development Highway System (ADHS). The ADHS is the first highway system authorized by Congress for the purpose of stimulating economic development. The ADHS is a 3,571-mile near-interstate grade highway system composed of 31 corridors located in 13 Appalachian states with 3,090 eligible for improvement. The system is approximately 85 percent finished and the completion will link the whole system into an integrated network connecting to national markets and trade flows. The study assesses how the corridor improvements will enhance the connectivity of the Appalachian people and businesses to other highway facilities, multimodal transportation, and markets (specifically labor markets and commuters, buyers and suppliers, and tourism). In addition, the study estimates travel and economic benefits, including benefit/cost analysis to evaluate the expected economic return on investment of completing the ADHS to both the ARC region and the U.S. Furthermore, three regional corridor impact case studies were conducted based on structured interviews with key transportation users and economic development experts in the north, central and south sections of the ARC Region.
Executive Summary | Report in PDF (1 MB) | Table of Contents

Evaluation of the Appalachian Regional Commission's Community Capacity-Building Projects, by Westat Corporation, July 2004.
This report summarizes findings from an evaluation study of 100 community capacity-building projects funded by the ARC between 1995 and 2003. The report contains a logic model that communities can use to develop outputs and outcomes of their projects, to measure how successful the project has been.
Executive Summary | Report in PDF (1 MB) | Report in HTML

Evaluation of the Appalachian Regional Commission's Telecommunications Projects: 1994–2000, by Westat Corporation, June 2003.
This program evaluation examines 70 projects that were started and completed between 1995 and 2001, including project investments in various types of information technology-based training, e-learning and distance learning, e-commerce, telemedicine, network and infrastructure projects, and community access center projects. The evaluation measured the extent to which the projects enhanced access to telecommunications services and improved the use of these services to meet communities' needs. The evaluation conducted a telephone survey of the 70 projects and 16 in-depth case studies. Furthermore, the report provided a summary literature review of best practices in the telecommunications and community development field. Finally, the evaluation provides a set of summary recommendations for improving ARC's performance measurement system.
Executive Summary | Report in PDF (1.5 MB) | Report in HTML

Evaluation of the Appalachian Regional Commission's Vocational Education and Workforce Training Projects, by Westat Corporation, January 2002.
The study examined 92 projects, including workforce and displaced-worker training, vocational education, apprenticeships, and basic and adult literacy projects that were started and completed during the 1995–2000 period. The study looked at the impact of these sample projects on participants in terms of basic and vocational skills, employability, and employment gains. In addition, five case-study site visits were conducted.
Executive Summary | Report in PDF (1.3 MB) | Report in HTML

Collected Case Study Evaluations of the Appalachian Regional Commission's Educational Projects (Vol. 2), by Westat Corporation, March 2001.
This volume reports the lessons learned from eight best-practice case study evaluations in which local stakeholders were asked to identify project-related lessons they had learned from the projects. Cross-case comparison reveals that stakeholders attributed successful implementation to clear project vision and goals, community buy-in, thorough planning and design, tailored approach for targeted population, staff skill and commitment, integration of services, and strong local leadership.
Executive Summary | Report in PDF (1 MB) | Report in HTML

Evaluation of the Appalachian Regional Commission's Educational Projects: Final Report (Vol. 1), by Westat Corporation, March 2001.
This report evaluated the implementation and impact of 84 education projects funded by the Appalachian Regional Commission during the 1990s. The projects included adult and basic education, science and math curricula, distance learning, telecommunications and computers, drop-out prevention, teacher training, and preschool and childhood development. The study examined the type of activities that projects used to enhance learning opportunities, the extent to which these activities were implemented, and the accomplishments associated with these activities.
Executive Summary | Report in PDF (1 MB) | Report in HTML

Evaluation of the Early Stages of the Appalachian Regional Commission's Entrepreneurship Initiative, by Regional Technology Strategies, March 2001.
This study provided an early evaluation of the Appalachian Regional Commission's entrepreneurship program. The report evaluated 24 entrepreneurship projects that were completed or nearly completed during the 1997–2000 period and reported on their impact on business formation and businesses and participants served.
Executive Summary | Report in PDF (600 KB) | Report in HTML

Evaluation of the Appalachian Regional Commission's Infrastructure and Public Works Program Projects, by the Brandow Company and Economic Development Research Group, June 2000.
ARC commissioned this evaluation of infrastructure and public works projects in order to determine the extent to which these projects have achieved their originally stated objectives. Ninety-nine projects were examined in this study; all were initiated and completed between 1990 and 1997. Total ARC funding for these projects was $32.4 million. These infrastructure projects represent a range of the different types of projects typically funded by the Commission, including industrial parks and sites, water and sewer systems, access roads, and business incubators. The report evaluates outcomes in terms of job creation and personal income impacts for each type of project, as well as the indirect effects attributable to the projects.
Executive Summary | Report in PDF (2 MB) | Report in HTML

Foundations

Foundation Funding in the Appalachian Region in the 1990s: Patterns, Trends, and Prospects, by Greg Bischak, Senior Economist, Appalachian Regional Commission, March 1999.
Funding from all types of private foundations is examined in this report, which shows how the Appalachian Region compares with the rest of the nation in obtaining foundation grants. The report also analyzes the distribution of grants from major foundations to all types of organizations in each state and city within the Region. Also included is an examination of both large and small foundations' locations within the Region. Detailed state-by-state data appear in accompanying appendices.
Executive Summary | Report in PDF (550 KB) | Report in HTML

Health Care

An Analysis of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Disparities & Access to Treatment Services in the Appalachian Region National Opinion Research Center (NORC) at the University of Chicago, and East Tennessee State University, August 2008.
This report presents an analysis of disparities in mental health status and substance abuse prevalence, as well as access to treatment services, in the 410 county Appalachian region comprising all or parts of 13 states. The aim of this research is to assist regional policy makers and public health practitioners in improving surveillance, research and health education, as well as to more effectively target investments designed to improve the delivery of substance abuse and mental health treatment and treatment outcomes.
Executive Summary | Table of Contents and Report Downloads

Underlying Socioeconomic Factors Influencing Health Disparities in the Appalachian Region West Virginia University, March 2008.
This study investigates associations between measures of socioeconomic condition and rates of premature mortality for leading causes of death for counties in the U.S., with a focus on the Appalachian region. The overall goal is to elucidate relationships between observed health outcomes in the region and underlying socioeconomic conditions that may be contributing factors in shaping these outcomes. The motivation for this investigation arose from findings in an earlier study conducted for the Appalachian Regional Commission entitled "An Analysis of Disparities in Health Status and Access to Medical Care in the Appalachian Region" (Halverson et al, 2004) which found that the "Appalachia continues to suffer adverse socio-economic conditions (higher unemployment, lower educational achievement, lower per capita income), and there does appear to be some association between areas with more adverse socioeconomic conditions and adverse health outcomes."
Executive Summary | Table of Contents and Report Downloads

An Analysis of Disparities in Health Status and Access to Health Care in the Appalachian Region, by Joel Halverson, West Virginia University, September 2004.
This report examines geographic and demographic disparities in health outcomes for the Appalachian Region. The study was commissioned by the Appalachian Regional Commission in order to compile standardized baseline information regarding health disparities in the Region. Health disparities are defined as "differences in the incidence, prevalence, mortality, and burden of diseases and other adverse health conditions that exist among specific population groups". The results of this study show that significant health disparities persist in the Appalachian region. First, the region as a whole suffers considerable excess in mortality from leading causes of death when compared to the non-Appalachian United States. Furthermore, there is a high degree of within-region variability in both the rates of mortality and hospitalization. Many Appalachian counties with the most adverse health outcomes correlate geographically with socioeconomic characteristics, behavioral risk profiles, and available medical care resources. However, there does not appear to be a consistent relationship between all factors combined for individual counties. It appears that reasons for disparities in health outcomes are highly variable and localized. Identifying the causes of inconsistencies may help in developing effective interventions and policy at the local level.
Executive Summary | Report in PDF | Report in HTML

An Analysis of the Financial Conditions of Health Care Institutions in the Appalachian Region and their Economic Impacts, by Jeffrey Stensland, Curt Mueller, and Janet Sutton, Project HOPE, December 2002.
This report describes the availability of health care services in Appalachia, the financial stability of Appalachian health care institutions, and the effect of hospital closures on Appalachian counties. It compares data on the current state of Appalachia's health care infrastructure to historical data and national benchmarks. After evaluating the current financial condition of Appalachian health care institutions, the importance of these institutions to the local economy is discussed.
Executive Summary | Report in PDF (1 MB) | Technical Appendix in PDF (5 MB) | Report in HTML

Infrastructure

Housing and Commuting Patterns in Appalachia, by Mark Mather, January 2004.
This report analyzes trends in housing characteristics and commuting patterns in Appalachia from 1990 to 2000. Data for Appalachia are compared with those for the United States as a whole, with special attention to racial/ethnic, rural/urban, and regional variations. The study focuses on trends in homeownership, housing quality, travel time to work, vehicle ownership, and the spatial mismatch between the locations of new jobs and the residences of poor and low-income families.
Introduction | Report in PDF (1.8 MB) | Report in HTML

Comparing Electricity Deregulation in California and Pennsylvania: Implications for the Appalachian Region, by Tim Considine and Andy Kleit, Pennsylvania State University, January 2002.
This study offers a primer on electricity deregulation for state policy makers and citizens in the Appalachian Region. First, the report provides a comparative analysis of restructuring efforts in California and Pennsylvania, which examines the broader regulatory policy issues posed by each model. Next, the report analyzes how states within the Region have responded to electricity restructuring and the policy issues confronting the states.
Executive Summary | Report in PDF (800 KB) | Report in HTML

Evaluation of the Appalachian Regional Commission's Infrastructure and Public Works Program Projects, by the Brandow Company and Economic Development Research Group, June 2000.
ARC commissioned this evaluation of infrastructure and public works projects in order to determine the extent to which these projects have achieved their originally stated objectives. Ninety-nine projects were examined in this study; all were initiated and completed between 1990 and 1997. Total ARC funding for these projects was $32.4 million. These infrastructure projects represent a range of the different types of projects typically funded by the Commission, including industrial parks and sites, water and sewer systems, access roads, and business incubators. The report evaluates outcomes in terms of job creation and personal income impacts for each type of project, as well as the indirect effects attributable to the projects.
Executive Summary | Report in PDF (2 MB) | Report in HTML

Socioeconomic Research

Standards of Living in Appalachia, 1960 - 2000 by Dan A. Black, University of Chicago, Mark Mather, Population Reference Bureau, and Seth G. Sanders, University of Maryland at College Park, September 2007.
This report uses data from the 1960 to 2000 decennial census to serve two purposes. First, it measures the extent to which standards of living among Appalachian families have improved along several important dimensions of consumption and housing. Second, it examines housing and consumption trends to see the degree to which Appalachian living standards have approached the typical standards for families in the rest of the United States.
Full Report in PDF format (239 KB)

The Upskilling of Appalachia: Earnings and the Improvement of Skill Levels, 1960 - 2000 by Dan A. Black, University of Chicago, Kelvin M. Pollard, Population Reference Bureau, and Seth G. Sanders, University of Maryland at College Park, September 2007.
To what degree has the rise in overall skill levels among Appalachia’s adult population helped increase the relative prosperity of Appalachian families? This report examines the improvement of Appalachia’s economic fortunes relative to those in rest of the country since 1960—particularly among men and women of prime working age (ages 25 to 64). It also looks at the effect of various social and demographic factors on this convergence.
Full Report in PDF format (132 KB)

Trends in National and Regional Economic Distress: 1960 - 2000 by Lawrence E. Wood, Ohio University, 2005.
This report analyzes recent demographic data to examine the factors explaining the graduation of distressed counties and the persistence of distress in Appalachia and other regions of the U.S. Low levels of economic diversification are found to be a key determinant of persistent economic distress, as well as low educational attainment rates, low levels of employment in professional services, high population shares of minority groups, and greater distance from metropolitan areas. This report also examines ARC's individual distress indicators of poverty, unemployment and per capita market income to assess how well they perform in measuring changes over time.
Report in PDF (1.8 MB) | Report in HTML

Defining Subregions in Appalachia: Are There Better Alternatives? by Kevin Pollard, Population Reference Bureau, June 2005.
Since its creation in 1965, the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) has recognized the need to plan for the region's development through the creation of easily identifiable subregions. After several years of research, the ARC in 1975 settled on three such areas--northern, central, and southern subregions. The ARC added an overlaying "Highlands" subregion designed for the funding of recreation and conservation projects. Much has changed in Appalachia since the mid-1970s. Given these changes, this report address the question of whether the current configuration of the Appalachian subregions still provide an accurate reflection of areas that are relatively homogenous in their economic status and development.
Report in PDF (1.1 MB) | Report in HTML

Labor Market Performance, Poverty, and Income Inequality in Appalachia, by Dan A. Black, Syracuse University and Seth G. Sanders, University of Maryland, September 2004.
This study examines the performance of the Appalachian economy and how residents of Appalachia fared between 1990 and 2000. The report addresses two key questions: how distressed counties have fared since 1990 and how Appalachia has fared over the last 30 years relative to areas that historically faced similar conditions.
Report in PDF (1.1 MB) | Report in HTML

The Aging of Appalachia, by John Haaga, Population Reference Bureau, July 2004.
This report uses data from Census 2000 to show how and why the age structure of the Appalachian population differs from the national average and varies within the Region. The report examines implications for the region and argues that they are not all negative. The changing age structure will be an important fact of life for decisionmakers in both the public and private sectors in Appalachia in coming years--but the Appalachian Region will hardly be alone in dealing with the challenges.
Introduction | Report in PDF (500 KB) | Report in HTML

Households and Families, by Mark Mather, March 2004.
This report analyzes trends in household and family structure in Appalachia from 1990 to 2000. The lack of jobs in the Appalachian Region--combined with the recent declines in public assistance income--presents special challenges to families living in Appalachia's poorest communities. This report investigates household and family change in the context of Appalachia's unique economic environment, with a focus on female-headed families, families with children, nonfamily households, and households headed by older Americans. Racial/ethnic, rural/urban, and regional trends in Appalachia are compared with trends in the United States as a whole.
Introduction | Report in PDF | Report in HTML

Housing and Commuting Patterns in Appalachia, by Mark Mather, January 2004.
This report analyzes trends in housing characteristics and commuting patterns in Appalachia from 1990 to 2000. Data for Appalachia are compared with those for the United States as a whole, with special attention to racial/ethnic, rural/urban, and regional variations. The study focuses on trends in homeownership, housing quality, travel time to work, vehicle ownership, and the spatial mismatch between the locations of new jobs and the residences of poor and low-income families.
Introduction | Report in PDF (1.8 MB) | Report in HTML

Appalachia at the Millennium: An Overview of Results from Census 2000, by Kelvin M. Pollard, Population Reference Bureau, June 2003.
Since a landmark 1964 report, the region known as Appalachia has been characterized mostly by its economic hardship and its geographic isolation. However, the 13-state area is far from homogeneous, containing pockets of rural isolation and parts of fast-growing metropolitan areas. Using data from the decennial census, this report provides a demographic, economic, and social portrait in the 410-county Appalachian Region at the dawn of the 21st century. The new century found a region that grew 9 percent during the 1990s, and was approaching levels of the rest of country in some aspects (while continuing to lag behind in others). Moreover, these developments had some wideranging variations among Appalachia's sub-regions and economic development categories.
Report in PDF (1.5 MB) | Report in HTML

Recent Trends in Poverty in the Appalachian Region: The Implications of the U.S. Census Bureau Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates on the ARC Distressed Counties Designations, by Roger Hammer, University of Wisconsin, Applied Population Laboratory, August 2000.
Recent poverty trends for Appalachia are examined in this report, which looks at how the use of the Census Bureau's annual Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates (SAIPE) would affect ARC's distressed county designations if the SAIPE were used to replace the decennial census estimates.
Executive Summary | Report in PDF | Report in HTML

Appalachian Migration Patterns, 1975–1980 and 1985–1990, by Phillip Obermiller, University of Kentucky, and Steven Howe, University of Cincinnati, March 2000.
This study provides a framework for understanding the changes in the Region due to in- and out-migration from 1975 to 1990. The study includes changes by age, race, educational attainment, income, and subregions.
Executive Summary | Report in PDF (150 KB) | Report in HTML

Socioeconomic Review of Appalachia
Appalachia Then and Now: An Update of the "Realities of Deprivation" Reported to the President in 1964, by Andrew Isserman, West Virginia University, November 1996.
In 1964, a report by the the President's Appalachian Regional Commission Report stated that Appalachia could be characterized as ". . . a region apart--geographically and statistically." This report reassesses that finding. A reexamination of the data presents an update of Appalachia's socioeconomic status in 1995, using a series of statistics and maps to compare the Appalachian Region with the rest of the nation's metropolitan and non-metropolitan counties.
Report in PDF (1.5 MB) | Report in HTML

Telecommunications

2004 Update of Links to the Future: The Role of Information and Telecommunications Technology in Appalachian Economic Development, by Michael Oden and Sharon Strover with Nobuya Inagaki and Chris Lucas, University of Texas, June 2004.
This study updates parts of the analysis found in the Links to the Future report published in June 2002. This update focuses on analyzing the changes in access to advanced information technologies and telecommunications services over the 2001-2003 period. We also review changes in the policy environment that have occurred over this period and highlight federal and state level legislative proposals that may have important implications for future deployment of advanced information and telecommunications infrastructure (ICT) services.
Introduction | Report in PDF (900 KB) | Report in HTML

Evaluation of the Appalachian Regional Commission's Telecommunications Projects: 1994–2000, by Westat Corporation, June 2003.
This program evaluation examines 70 projects that were started and completed between 1995 and 2001, including project investments in various types of information technology-based training, e-learning and distance learning, e-commerce, telemedicine, network and infrastructure projects, and community access center projects. The evaluation measured the extent to which the projects enhanced access to telecommunications services and improved the use of these services to meet communities' needs. The evaluation conducted a telephone survey of the 70 projects and 16 in-depth case studies. Furthermore, the report provided a summary literature review of best practices in the telecommunications and community development field. Finally, the evaluation provides a set of summary recommendations for improving ARC's performance measurement system.
Executive Summary | Report in PDF (1.5 MB) | Report in HTML

Links to the Future: The Role of Information and Telecommunications Technology in Appalachian Economic Development, by Michael Oden and Sharon Strover with Nobuya Inagaki, Martha Arosemena, Jeremy Gustafson, and Chris Lucas, University of Texas, June 2002.
This report documents the status of information, computing, and telecommunications technologies in the Appalachian Region, assessing their potential relationship to economic growth and the range of federal, state, and local policies that influence their development. This work is based on in-depth field research and telephone interviews; analysis of primary, archival, and secondary documents; and Web-based investigations to gather and analyze data.
Executive Summary | Report in PDF (3 MB) | Report in HTML

Tools

Handbook: Assessing Local Economic Development Opportunities with ARC-LEAP, Appalachian Regional Commission Local Economic Assessment Package, by Economic Development Research Group, January 2004.
The ARC-LEAP model serves to three related purposes, each aimed at helping practitioners identify target industries for economic development. The first is to provide a tool for local practitioners to assess current economic conditions and likely future trends. The second is to provide a diagnostic tool to aid practitioners in targeting industries that can provide the basis for economic development. The third is to provide an analysis tool for assessing the effects of policy (e.g., tax) changes and new investments (e.g., transportation improvements) on the attractiveness of an area for different industries.
Handbook in PDF (300 KB) | Handbook in HTML

ARC-LEAP User Instructions for the Appalachian Regional Commission Local Economic Assessment Package, by Economic Development Research Group, January 2004.
Instructions in PDF (500 KB) | Instructions in HTML

Acquiring the Tool
The software ARC-LEAP Model that accompanies the handbook is available for government and nonprofit agencies based within Appalachia by written request from the Appalachian Regional Commission. Inquiries should be made to the attention of:
Greg Bischak, Senior Economist
Appalachian Regional Commission
1666 Connecticut Ave., NW, Suite 700
Washington, DC 20009-1068
Email: gbischak@arc.gov
You may also contact Keith Witt at kwitt@arc.gov.

For-profit businesses can obtain the software ARC-LEAP Model directly from the vendor for a fee by contacting:
Economic Development Research Group
2 Oliver St., 9th Floor
Boston, MA 02109
Phone: 617-338-6775
Web site: www.edrgroup.com

Transportation

Meeting the Transportation Challenges of the 21st Century: Economic Benefits of Intermodal Efficiencies, by the Rahall Transportation Institute and Wilbur Smith Associates, December 2004.
The purpose of this section of the "Meeting the Transportation Challenges of the 21st Century" study is to estimate the potential economic impacts of increased transportation efficiencies that can result from intermodal improvements. Three of the intermodal case studies identified in the earlier phases of the research were selected for economic impact analysis, including the Trans-Tennessee Railroad, the Prichard Intermodal Yard (part of the Central Corridor Doublestack Initiative), and the Port of Pittsburgh Container-on-Barge projects. The selection was based on the availability of data, the diversity of the projects, and the commitment of sponsoring agencies regarding the projects. No construction impacts, safety benefits, or long-term strategic development impacts are included in this analysis. The purpose of the current analysis is to provide some insight into the potential benefits of intermodal investment in the ARC Region, rather than serve as a major investment study.
Report in PDF (63 KB) | Report in HTML

Meeting the Transportation Challenges of the 21st Century: Intermodal Case Studies, by the Rahall Transportation Institute and Wilbur Smith Associates, December 2004.
This report builds on the companion regional study of commodity movements within and between the Appalachian Region and the rest of the world by transportation mode to identify exemplary case studies of intermodal initiatives and opportunities in the Appalachian Region. Examples represent only a sampling of transportation opportunities within the Region. The case studies represent a range of examples, from projects that have already been implemented, to projects that are being planned, to project concepts that are still being evaluated. Taken together, however, these case studies provide concrete examples of how intermodal transportation infrastructure can strategically stimulate and support economic development in Appalachia.
Report in PDF (1.2 MB) | Report in HTML

Meeting the Transportation Challenges of the 21st Century: Intermodal Opportunities in the Appalachian Region, by the Rahall Transportation Institute and Wilbur Smith Associates, December 2004.
This report identifies strategic development opportunities to leverage higher utilization of the transportation capabilities of the ADHS, rail, water, and air transportation systems in the Appalachian Region through regional intermodal transportation facilities. The study assesses how transportation reliability and congestion at key freight consolidation nodes of national trade gateways could increase the logistics value of the ADHS and potential intermodal sites in Appalachia, including inland ports. The report provides transportation and economic development planners an assessment of national and regional forecasts of transportation and trade flows for future regional transportation demands..
Report in PDF (1.4 MB) | Report in HTML

Analysis of Global Competitiveness of Selected Industries and Clusters in the Appalachian Region, by Jack Faucett Associates and the Economic Development Research Group, November 2004.
This report details current export trends and future market prospects for 12 major industry groups of Appalachia, with detailed analysis of seven key industry clusters (auto parts, electronic components, food-processing machinery, packaging machinery, wooden furniture, upholstered furniture, and educational services). The analysis details regional export trends in dollar volume, growth rates, import/domestic competition, and industry specialization, and examines the unique export issues of services exports with a detailed case study of educational services in the Appalachian Region. In addition, the study assesses export needs by transportation modes, and commodity flows by trade corridors (airport, seaport, highway, rail, and intermodal hubs) used by regional companies for current export and import activity. Finally, the report analyzes the impact of existing trade agreements and likely impacts of future trade liberalization agreements on the trade competitiveness and export potential of major industry groups.
Report in PDF | Report in HTML

Handbook for Assessing Economic Opportunities from Appalachian Development Highways, by the Economic Development Research Group and Cambridge Systematics, March 2001.
This handbook has an accompanying software and worksheet toolkit that helps communities develop baseline economic data on their counties and assess the potential economic development impact of corridors and transportation-related projects. The how-to handbook explains what the toolkit does, how to get the data, how to compute the results from the data entered, and how to interpret the results.
Executive Summary | Report in PDF (100 KB) | Report in HTML

Appalachian Development Highways Economic Impact Studies, by Wilbur Smith Associates, July 1998.
This study evaluates both the transportation efficiency benefits and economic development impacts of the completed portions of the Appalachian Development Highway System (ADHS). The study focuses on 12 of the 26 ADHS highway corridors that were largely completed, totaling 1,400 miles of the system. A primary objective of the study is to measure, in retrospect, the extent to which the completed portions of the ADHS have contributed to the economic well-being of Appalachia. Two major effects are estimated using transportation data and a state-of-the-art regional economic model: travel efficiency benefits due to reduced travel time, lower vehicle operating costs, and the reduced number of accidents; economic development impacts on the Region due to the enhanced competitive position of industry in the Region, increased roadside business, and increased tourism. The economic model used for the study was developed by Regional Economic Models Inc., of Amherst, Massachusetts, which estimated the employment, wages, value-added, and population increases attributable to the ADHS in the 165-county study region.
Executive Summary | Report in PDF | Report in HTML