Edwards, Trone introduce bill to promote economic development, reduce bureaucratic red tape in Appalachia

U.S. Congressman Chuck Edwards (NC-11) today introduced the Appalachian Regional Continuing (ARC) Development Act of 2024 to promote economic development in rural Appalachian communities and to reduce federal red tape inhibiting development along the Appalachian Development Highway System (ADHS). Congressman David Trone (MD-06) is co-leading this bipartisan legislation.

The ADHS is a network of highways linking rural Appalachian communities to national interstates and regional and national markets. The ADHS was established via the Appalachian Regional Development Act of 1965 and is statutorily capped at 3,090 miles. Those miles have been divided among 33 corridors across 13 states. ADHS-specific funding exists to develop the most rural parts of our region, but Appalachian states are unable to access ADHS-specific federal funding for any miles beyond their initial allocation.

The ARC Development Act will allow states in the Appalachian region to apply for a waiver if a corridor’s final route exceeds the current ADHS mileage limitation due to challenges during the environmental review process. Any mileage approved under the application will become eligible for federal ADHS-specific funding.

ADHS corridors serve extremely rural communities, making it difficult for these corridors to compete in state prioritization programs or for non-ADHS specific grant opportunities. Allowing states to apply for additional mileage will allow them to complete their corridors and thereby connect the underserved Appalachian region to the greater interstate system, reduce isolation and spark economic growth in rural Appalachia.

“The Appalachian Mountains make up the vast majority of our beautiful district, and while our region has been historically neglected, the creation of the ADHS in 1965 finally started to give this region the necessary resources to boost growth,” said Congressman Edwards. “Now, nearly 60 years later, legal technicalities and government bureaucracy have gotten in the way of completing the highway system for our communities. The ARC Development Act will get rid of bureaucratic red tape and provide the Department of Transportation the resources it needs to connect our mountain communities with the rest of the state and generate more economic opportunity for Western North Carolinians.”

"Connecting the Appalachian region to our national interstates is essential to fostering economic growth and development in our rural communities," said Congressman Trone. "By making it easier to apply for ADHS funding, we are ensuring that this highway system gets up and running quicker. In Congress, I'll always fight to expand opportunities for our rural communities."

The ARC Development Act does not increase or otherwise alter federal appropriations provided to the U.S. Department of Transportation for ADHS-specific grants. At least five states - North Carolina, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Tennessee and West Virginia - are expected to benefit from additional miles to complete their respective corridors due to environmental setbacks.