20 Mar 2018 BPC Action Applauds Appalachia Opportunity Act in Economics and Finance

BPC Action applauds the introduction of the bipartisan Appalachia Opportunity Act.

Sponsored by Sens. Mark Warner (D-VA), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Roger Wicker (R-MS), and Joe Manchin (D-WV), this proposal builds on recommendations from the Bipartisan Policy Center’s Appalachia Initiative and will accelerate economic growth in the Appalachia region.

This vast region, which spans 13 states, has been disproportionately affected by the steady decline in industries such as coal and traditional manufacturing. These unfortunate declines caused millions of jobs to disappear, ultimately leading to high levels of unemployment and poverty in the region. The Appalachia Initiative found that increased public and private collaboration would help support the development needs of the region.

The Appalachia Opportunity Act responds to these economic challenges by offering a bipartisan approach to advance prosperity for more than 25 million people that call this region home.