The West Virginia Department of Economic Development (WVDED) has been awarded $1,982,460 by the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC). In partnership with the West Virginia Workforce Resiliency Office and private childcare development firm Wonderschool, WVDED will launch two new programs that will increase accessible and affordable childcare supply, empower childcare providers to attract and retain childcare workers, and improve career pathways for childcare workers for coal-impacted communities in Boone, Jackson, Kanawha, Lincoln, Mason, Putnam, Roane and Wirt counties in West Virginia.

This award is part of a recently announced $68.2 million award package supporting 65 projects in 188 coal-impacted counties through ARC’s POWER (Partnerships for Opportunity and Workforce and Economic Revitalization) Initiative, which directs federal resources to economic diversification projects in Appalachian communities affected by job losses in coal mining, coal power plant operations and coal-related supply chain industries.

“ARC’s POWER initiative supports coal-impacted communities’ preparation for the next phase of Appalachia’s economy, while ensuring that residents have a say in the course of their own futures,” said ARC Federal Co-Chair Gayle Manchin. “The investments announced in this round of POWER will help train workers, advance new industries, and build upon the progress already being made toward a brighter future full of economic opportunity for our region.”

“Our collective goal is to increase workforce participation across West Virginia. Unfortunately, the challenge of finding and affording reliable childcare has been repeatedly highlighted as a barrier for parents – and even grandparents – to obtain or maintain employment,” said Mike Graney, WVDED Acting Secretary. “With the support of the Appalachian Regional Commission, the West Virginia Department of Economic Development, the West Virginia Small Business Development Center (WVSBDC) and our partners, we are thrilled to initiate a pilot program to tackle this issue and hopefully continue to increase our workforce while creating new childcare businesses.”

Including today’s award package, ARC has invested over $484.7 million in 564 projects impacting 365 coal-impacted counties since POWER was established in 2015. ARC’s investments have helped create or retain nearly 54,000 jobs and prepare nearly 170,000 workers and students for new opportunities in entrepreneurship, broadband, tourism and other growing industries.