The Appalachian Regional Commission’s (ARC) fiscal year 2027 economic status designations for Appalachia’s 423 counties are out now, with two improvements of note:
☝️ The number of counties at risk of being economically distressed dropped by five.
📈 The number of counties that are economically competitive with other non-Appalachian counties increased by four.
We use these designations to set grant match rates, monitor trends and direct investments to the region’s most distressed communities.
Work remains to ensure Appalachia’s economies can attain parity with others in the nation. Overall, 76 counties are designated as distressed, 85 as at-risk, 240 as transitional and 18 as competitive. Four counties have reached attainment.