Appalachian Regional Commission Director Brandon McBride said the commission’s annual report on the economic health of counties helps make sure everyone involved understands the challenges being faced.
Clay and Pickett Counties labeled as distressed in the new review. McBride said the Commission annually reviews the economic status of 423 counties in the Appalachian region. It is based on the three-year unemployment rate, per capita market income, and poverty rate. McBride said each county is compared with the national average and ranked based on a composite index, which is used to determine status.
“ARC does try to target its investments towards those that are having more economic challenges,” McBride said. “And a distressed county that applies for a grant is eligible for up to an 80 percent portion of funding through an ARC grant, and they would need to provide a 20 percent match.”
In addition to Clay and Pickett Counties labeled as distressed, DeKalb, Fentress, Jackson, Overton, Van Buren and Warren Counties were labeled as at risk counties. McBride said there is a fine line between an at risk and distressed county, and fluctuation is common.
“A lot of times, what we will see with counties that are rural in nature, when they have a low population, any slight economic change can be enough to impact the overall county economic status,” McBride said.
McBride said ARC works with local and state partners on finding good economic opportunities so distressed counties can reach their full potential. McBride said this includes development districts in the 13 states ARC covers.
“We also work closely with Governor Lee’s team in Tennessee to identify priorities that the governor may have for the state, working with the local partners,” McBride said.
