Dabney S. Lancaster Community College has been awarded $1,466,029 by the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) to develop The Appalachian Hardwood Training Institute, which will develop educational and training opportunities for those employed in the industry’s regional sawmills and wood manufacturing facilities as well as for unemployed and underemployed individuals in Appalachia. This project is expected to recruit, serve, and train up to 950 individuals in Virginia, West Virginia, and Kentucky over the next three years. The partners in this project include Big Sandy Community & Technical College, Glenville State College, Appalachian Hardwood Manufacturers, Inc., and Community Colleges of Appalachia.
This award is part of a nearly $52 million package supporting 62 projects serving 196 coal-impacted counties through ARC’s POWER (Partnerships for Opportunity and Workforce and Economic Revitalization) Initiative. POWER targets federal resources to communities affected by job losses in coal mining, coal power plant operations, and coal-related supply chain industries.
The Appalachian Hardwood Training Institute is part of a nearly $52 million award package, and will support the hardwood industry for coal-impacted communities in Virginia, West Virginia, and Kentucky.
“The downturn of the coal industry has impacted economies across Appalachia. That’s why ARC’s POWER initiative helps to leverage regional partnerships and collaborations to support efforts to create a more vibrant economic future for coal-impacted communities,” said ARC Federal Co-Chair Gayle Manchin. “This year’s POWER projects invest in educating and training the Appalachian workforce, nurturing entrepreneurship, and supporting infrastructure—including broadband access. These investments in our Appalachian coal-impacted communities are critical in leveling the economic playing field so our communities can thrive.”
“We are honored to receive this important grant from ARC, said Dr. John Rainone, DSLCC President. “Addressing the workforce needs of the hardwood industry is a critical role for all of our wonderful partners and it is our hope to develop educational and training opportunities for those employed in the industry's sawmills and wood manufacturing facilities throughout the ARC region as well as for underemployed and underemployed individuals in the region,” said Dr. Rainone.
Since POWER launched in 2015, ARC has invested nearly $294.7 million in 369 projects across 354 coal-impacted counties. The nearly $52 million awarded in 2021 is projected to create/retain over 9,187 jobs, attract nearly $519.5 million in leveraged private investments, and be matched by $59.2 million in additional public and private funds across the Region.
The Appalachian Regional Commission is an economic development partnership agency of the federal government and 13 state governments focusing on 423 counties across the Appalachian Region. ARC’s mission is to innovate, partner, and invest to build community capacity and strengthen economic growth in Appalachia.