Press Releases

The Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) has awarded $493,669 to the Mountain Empire Community College Foundation, located in Big Stone Gap, Virginia, for their Amelioration Expansion (AM-EX) Project.

Through ARC’s funding, about 40 workers/trainees and 60 students will obtain employment, work-based training, and/or internships in Dickenson, Lee, and Wise counties, while also receiving wrap around services for their substance use disorder. Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA) issued the following statement:

“Substance abuse remains a real problem throughout the United States, also affecting many in our region. ARC’s INSPIRE grant will expand an existing program for individuals with a substance use disorder in parts of Southwest Virginia, providing a variety of support services and hands-on training.”

ARC’s INSPIRE initiative is a program focused on assisting individuals with substance use disorder back into the workforce after treatment and recovery.

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