Today, ARC released their Fiscal Year 2026 economic status designations for Appalachia’s 423 counties.
- In FY 2026, the number of Appalachian counties designated as economically distressed will decrease to 75.
- This is the lowest number since ARC began using this index-based classification system 20 years ago.
- Improvement comes from a decrease in the number of distressed counties in Appalachian Alabama, Ohio and West Virginia. Thirty-three counties will see a positive shift in their economic status.
Work remains to ensure that all of Appalachia experiences upward growth. Fourteen of Appalachia’s counties experienced a decline in economic status. ARC uses county designations to set grant match rates, monitor trends and direct investments to the region’s most distressed communities. Learn more about the FY 2026 data