Effectiveness of the Appalachian Regional Commission's Distressed Counties Program

Abstract

The Appalachia region has long been plagued by economic depression. Poverty is prevalent in this region, along with low income, and high unemployment. The Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) was established in 1965 to promote economic development and alleviate poverty the historically lagging region. Until 1983 the ARC functioned under a growth center strategy that channeled funds to Appalachian areas that were more economically stable and appeared promising. In 1983 the ARC undertook a major change in policy with the introduction of the Distressed Counties Program, which shifted the focus and funds to counties in severe economic duress. My thesis uses regression analysis to test the effect of the Distressed Counties Program on poverty rates, unemployment rates, and real per capita income of the distressed counties in Appalachia.