Groups Ask Congress To Fund Appalachian Regional Commission

A group of Appalachian nonprofits, churches and elected officials have urged lawmakers in Congress to fully fund the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC).

The 60-year-old commission supports workforce development, infrastructure, education and housing in more than 400 counties across 13 states.

President Donald Trump’s budget blueprint, however, cuts its funding by 93%.

A coalition has asked congressional appropriators to fully fund the ARC at around $200 million.

“This unprecedented cut to funding for the ARC would result in major reductions to actual benefits delivered to the people of Appalachia,” the groups wrote to House and Senate leaders. 

The groups call the commission’s work a success and say its grants have leveraged billions of dollars in private investment in the region.

“The ARC is an example of the federal government at its best – a federal entity run in coordination with state and local officials, responsive to the needs and insight of the people it serves, and adaptable to the changing circumstances on the ground,” the groups wrote.

They include the West Virginia Citizen Action Group, the West Virginia Environmental Council and the West Virginia Rivers Coalition.

Elected officials include Charleston City Council Member Emmett Pepper and Del. Evan Hansen, D-Monongalia.

Former West Virginia First Lady Gayle Manchin most recently served as the commission’s federal co-chair, the first West Virginian in that role.