CREC Presents ARC 50th Anniversary Report in Morgantown, West Virginia
June 15, 2015Mark White presented findings from the presented results from the CREC-WVU report, Appalachia Then and Now: Examining Changes to the Appalachian Region since 1965 to listening sessions in Morgantown, West Virginia.
This study, commissioned by the Appalachian Regional Commission, analyzes 50 years of socioeconomic trends, including poverty, income disparity, unemployment, employment change, population change, economic and industry mix, educational attainment, housing quality, health, transportation access, and telecommunications capacity in the Appalachian Region and summarizes the economic impacts accruing to the Region through ARC’s non-highway investments. The report also includes results from a rigorous quasi-experimental research method indicating that counties that received ARC investments increased per capita income and added employment at a faster rate than similar counties that did not receive ARC investments. The report also summarizes input gathered from stakeholders in focus group meetings held in each of the 13 Appalachian states.
The Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) is a regional economic development agency that represents a partnership of federal, state, and local government. Established by an act of Congress in 1965, ARC 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.