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# Appalachian Regional Commission Connects 68 Communities
- URL: https://broadbandbreakfast.com/appalachian-regional-commission-connects-68-communities/
- Published: 2024-07-02T20:35:39.000Z
- Updated: 2026-03-11T06:06:11.000Z
- Description: ARC aims to serve the 206,000-square-mile Appalachian region, encompassing 26 million people across 13 states.
- Author: Michael D. Melero
- Tags: ARC, #with-siderail, Elizabeth Sanner, ARCP, ARISE, Connect Humanity, ADA, Fiber, Funding, Briefs

July 2, 2024 – The Appalachian Regional Commission has improved internet access in 68 communities that lack broadband connectivity through its Appalachia Digital Accelerator program, said ARC’s Broadband Program Manager **Elizabeth Sanner** in the second round of the [Broadband Bootcamp webinar](https://learntelehealth.org/event/arc-broadband-bootcamp-2-0-filling-in-the-holes-after-bead/?ref=broadbandbreakfast.com) on Tuesday.

The ARC, an economic development agency that operates as a quasi-federal state agency, developed [a four-year strategic investment plan](https://www.arc.gov/strategicplan/?ref=broadbandbreakfast.com) to collaborate with federal, state, local, and tribal governments, as well as institutions of higher education and nonprofit organizations. 

This plan aims to serve the 206,000-square-mile Appalachian region, which encompasses 26 million people across 13 states.

Sanneroutlined in the webinar the allocation of $65 million from [American Rural Cooperative Power](https://www.arcpowerusa.com/?ref=broadbandbreakfast.com), a new electric generation and transmission organization, for fiscal years 2024 and 2025\. The funding limits are set at a maximum of $50,000 for planning projects and $2.5 million for broadband or implementation projects.

She also highlighted the [Appalachian Regional Initiative for Stronger Economies program](https://www.arc.gov/grants-and-opportunities/arise/?ref=broadbandbreakfast.com), which is funded at $1 billion over five years, with approximately $200 million allocated annually. These multi-state projects have a maximum of $500,000 for planning and $10 million for implementation.

ARC also partnered with Connect Humanity to invest in the ADA program, which aims to provide a variety of tools, resources, technical assistance, and assets to ensure reliable internet access for these states.

[Connect Humanity](https://connecthumanity.fund/?ref=broadbandbreakfast.com) is a nonprofit organization that invests to close the digital divide and provides strategic advice and technical guidance to ensure communities have fast, affordable, and reliable internet access.

[Since May 2023, the ARC has been working to accelerate internet access and support](https://broadbandbreakfast.com/connect-humanity-publishes-maps-detailing-internet-access-in-appalachia/) Appalachia’s least-connected communities. This initiative aims to help the region plan for advanced broadband networks.