Appalachian Advancement to Strengthen Workforce Opportunities and Business Growth Across Appalachian Virginia

$7.99 million federal grant will support three years of workforce training, employer partnerships, and regional capacity building

RADFORD, Va. — The New River/Mount Rogers Workforce Development Area Consortium Board has received a $7,994,951 grant from the U.S. Department of Labor for Appalachian Advancement: Building Career Mobility and Talent Pipelines, a three-year initiative to help residents advance their careers and businesses develop the talent they need to grow.

Funded through the Workforce Opportunity for Rural Communities initiative, the project will serve all 33 Appalachian Regional Commission-designated jurisdictions in Virginia. It brings together five Workforce Development Boards: Southwest Virginia, New River/Mount Rogers, Greater Roanoke, Shenandoah Valley, and West Piedmont.

The New River Valley Regional Commission supports the project as the Consortium Board’s fiscal agent, providing financial administration for the grant.

Appalachian Advancement will support training, industry-recognized credentials, work-based learning, Registered Apprenticeship, and career advancement in healthcare; manufacturing,

transportation and logistics; and skilled trades and construction. Over three years, the project aims to provide education or training to 1,000 participants. Employers will help identify workforce priorities and shape training pathways that connect residents with regional career opportunities.

Beyond training, the project includes workforce research and technical expertise from Virginia Tech’s Center for Economic and Community Engagement, along with leadership and

organizational development support from Collective Impact, LLC. These components will help regional partners anticipate changing skill needs, strengthen collaboration, and sustain effective workforce strategies.

“Appalachian Advancement is an investment in our people, our businesses, and our region’s ability to meet changing workforce needs,” said Jenny Bolte, Executive Director of the New River/Mount Rogers Workforce Development Board. “Through this collaboration, five

Workforce Development Boards will help employers develop talent and connect residents to opportunities to build skills and advance their careers. With the expertise of Virginia Tech’s Center for Economic and Community Engagement and Collective Impact, LLC, we will also

 

strengthen the leadership, partnerships, and workforce intelligence needed to sustain that progress long after the grant ends.”

The project runs from October 1, 2026, through September 30, 2029. Information about

employer engagement and participant opportunities will be shared as implementation moves forward.

Federal Funding Disclosure

Appalachian Advancement: Building Career Mobility and Talent Pipelines is supported by the

U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration through the Workforce Opportunity for Rural Communities initiative. The project is financed with $7,994,951 in federal funds, representing 100% of project costs, and $0 (0%) from nongovernmental sources.

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