The Shadow
The Appalachian Regional Commission’s new Appalachian Regional Imitative for Stronger Economies (ARISE) has approved its first grant in the amount of $6.3 million to grow broadband economic opportunities in underdeveloped areas of Appalachia.
Connect Humanity will spearhead the project in Appalachian states that fit the description of the need for broadband in order to enhance the economic development of the areas.
West Virginia is the only state entirely within the boundaries of Appalachia, and only part of the other 12 states that make up Appalachia have a portion of each designated as being part of the Appalachian region.
Alleghany County is included in the Appalachian Regional Commission’s area of Va. that qualifies the Alleghany County Board of Supervisors to apply for funding via submitting a grant proposal.
The ARC was founded by the U.S. Government in 1965 as part of President Lyndon B. Johnson’s “War on Poverty” that he declared during his “State of the Union Speech” on Jan 8, 1964.
The ARC has three main goals, to build stronger communities, to create jobs and to strengthen regional economies.
The 12 states that have counties that lie within Appalachia are Ala., Ga., Ky., Md., Miss., N.Y., N.C., Ohio, Penn., S.C., Tenn. and Va.
According to the ARC, the funding is the first of billions of dollars that the federal government will be appropriating later in the year, and the current approval of $6.3 million will be for 50 Appalachian communities in 12 states.
In the view of the ARC, Appalachian communities need access to broadband in order to compete in a global economy.
The grant approved by ARISE is a first step to level the playing field with Connect Humanity located in Houston, Texas, spearheading the path to progress.
