WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Sens. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) announced $165 million for the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) in the final Energy and Water Appropriations bill set to become law. Since its inception in 1965, ARC has generated over 300,000 jobs and $10 billion for the 25 million Americans in Appalachia. The Energy and Water Appropriations bill passed the Senate tonight. It now heads to the House for passage before heading to the President’s desk to be signed into law.
“While the Appalachian Regional Commission has already done so much for Ohio, we know there is plenty of work yet to do,” said Brown. “This key investment will help connect Ohioans with jobs, strengthen local infrastructure, and provide greater educational and economic opportunities for the region.”
ARC supports Ohio and twelve other states across Appalachia to stimulate local economies, provide job training, expand broadband access in rural areas, and support local infrastructure needs.
In 2017, after President Trump’s budget proposed eliminating the ARC program entirely, Brown wrote to key leaders on the Senate Appropriations Committee calling for full funding for ARC. Brown has spoken out about the importance of ARC and against any cuts to the program.
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