Appalachian Commission distributes $46M for projects

MATEWAN, W.VA. » The Appalachian Regional Commission is granting more than $46 million for 57 economic projects in 10 states to promote workforce training and entrepreneurship and improve broadband.

The projects will support “economic diversification” in the Appalachian region’s coal-impacted communities.

The funding, which comes from the agency’s POWER Initiative, will reach 184 counties, the group said Thursday.

“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,” Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam, the group’s co-chair, said in a media release.

West Virginia landed 14 projects, including about $5 million in funding for broadband projects. Kentucky received 11 projects, Ohio 10 and Pennsylvania nine.