Appalachian Regional Commission
| Predecessor | Council of Appalachian Governors, President's Appalachian Regional Commission |
|---|---|
| Formation | 1965 |
| Type | State-Federal partnership |
|
Federal Co-Chair
|
Earl F. Gohl |
The Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) is a United States federal-state partnership that works with the people of Appalachia to create opportunities for self-sustaining economic development and improved quality of life. Congress established ARC to bring the region into socioeconomic parity with the rest of the nation.
The Appalachian Region, as defined by Congress, includes all of West Virginia and portions of 12 other states: Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, Maryland, Mississippi, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia. ARC serves 420 counties that encompass roughly 205,000 square miles, with a population of more than 25 million people.
The Appalachian Regional Commission has 14 members: the governors of the 13 Appalachian states and a federal co-chair, who is appointed by the president and confirmed by the Senate. A professional staff carries out the work of the Commission.
The current Federal Co-Chair is Earl F. Gohl, who was appointed by President Barack Obama in 2010. The current States' Co-Chair is Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam. Grassroots participation is provided through 73 local development districts, which are multi-county organizations with boards made up of elected officials, business people, and other local leaders. The ARC is a planning, research, advocacy and funding organization; it does not have any governing powers within the region.
All of ARC's activities must advance at least one of the five strategic investment goals articulated in its 2016–2020 strategic plan adopted in November 2015:
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