Appalachian Regional Commission

The Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) is a regional economic development agency representing a unique partnership of federal, state, and local government. Established by an act of Congress in 1965, the Commission is composed of the governors of the 13 Appalachian states and a federal co-chair, who is appointed by the president. Local participation is provided through multi-county local development districts with boards made up of elected officials, businesspeople, and other local leaders. Each year Congress appropriates funds, which ARC allocates among its member states. The governors draw up annual state Appalachian strategies and select for ARC approval projects to implement them. ARC projects include a safe and efficient highway system; education, job-training, and health-care programs; water and sewer systems; housing; and other essentials of comprehensive economic development.

Appalachia

Appalachia, as defined in the legislation from which the Appalachian Regional Commission derives its authority, is a 200,000-square-mile region that follows the spine of the Appalachian Mountains from southern New York to northern Mississippi. It includes all of West Virginia and parts of 12 other states: Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, Maryland, Mississippi, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia.