The Appalachian Regional Commission’s POWER Initiative supports efforts to create a more vibrant economic future for coal-impacted communities by cultivating economic diversity, enhancing job training and re-employment opportunities, creating jobs in existing or new industries, and attracting new sources of investment. The ARC has invested more than $200 million into the Appalachian region through this initiative. Read more about POWER funding on the Appalachian Regional Commission website.
About the POWER Support Initiative
The team at The Hub spearheads a collaborative initiative in support of the people behind WV-based POWER projects. Our team members offer coaching and training to support POWER projects, and we bring together current and past POWER grantees to network, problem-solve, build new collaborations and deepen relationships with project funders and technical assistance providers.
This work is carried out in collaboration with the Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation and the Appalachian Regional Commission, among others. Please read more about our partners below.
Opportunities for Support
/ Coaching
WV POWER grantees have access to expert coaches at any time to get support on effectively executing and evaluating their projects.
Contact The Hub’s Executive Director Stephanie Tyree at s.tyree@wvhub.org to connect with a coach.
/ Communications Coaching
WV POWER grantees have access to coaching at any time in support of promoting and communicating about their projects – including areas such as community buy-in, participant recruitment, project launches, and others.
Contact The Hub’s Director of Strategic Network Communications Emma Pepper at e.pepper@wvhub.org for more information.
/ Annual Grantee Summit
Each year, The Hub partners with the Appalachian Regional Commission and Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation to bring together grantees, funders and project partners for networking and shared learning opportunities.
History
Beginning in 2015, The Hub worked in partnership with funders and organizations to convene potential POWER applicants and facilitate collaboration between the various agencies, organizations and individuals with a vested interest in diversifying West Virginia’s economy.
That initial collaboration was actively encouraged by funding organizations, and was pivotal in catalyzing West Virginia groups to receive grant awards in excess of $30 million through the Appalachian Regional Commission.
In 2017, The Hub team shifted to its current focus of capacity building for grantees who received funding through the initiative.
Partners supporting this phase of the initiative include – but are not limited to – representatives from the Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation, WV Development Office, and the Appalachian Regional Commission.