ARC's 2026 Conference Puts AI at the Center of Appalachian Growth

The Appalachian Regional Commission wants to talk about AI — and you should too

The ARC just opened its call for proposals for the 2026 Annual Conference, and one topic stands out: “technology and the use of AI in economic development.” For the first time, the federal agency responsible for economic growth across 423 Appalachian counties is putting artificial intelligence front and center in its programming.

The deadline to submit proposals is this Friday, February 27, 2026. Whether you plan to submit or not, the signal is worth paying attention to.

What’s happening

The 2026 ARC Annual Conference runs June 2-4 in Starkville, Mississippi. The theme is “Appalachia Builds: Breaking New Ground for Economic Growth,” and the event will bring together state and local officials, community leaders, and economic development professionals from all 13 Appalachian states.

ARC is soliciting proposals for two session formats:

Breakout sessions (45 minutes) covering topics like workforce development, infrastructure, and community investment
Express sessions (15 minutes, TED-talk style) on topics including — and this is the part that matters — “technology and the use of AI in economic development”

Each express session gets repeated three times in a single hour, maximizing exposure. ARC’s Content and Programming Committee will evaluate proposals based on relevance, originality, and whether the ideas can be replicated elsewhere in the region.

Proposals are due February 27, 2026. Accepted presenters will be notified by early April.

Why this matters

AI is becoming an official priority for Appalachian development

ARC isn’t a think tank. It’s a federal-state partnership that invests real money — $188.6 million since January 2023 through its ARISE initiative alone, projected to create or retain over 22,300 jobs. When ARC adds AI to its conference agenda, it signals where federal and state investment dollars are likely to flow next.

ARC’s current strategic plan, Appalachia Envisioned, runs through 2026 and emphasizes innovation, resilience, and equity. The next plan cycle will almost certainly codify technology adoption — including AI — as a core investment priority.

The region needs it

Appalachia lost 77% of all U.S. coal mining jobs that disappeared between 2011 and 2019. Manufacturing jobs dropped 29% between 2000 and 2019 — a net loss of 555,000 positions. The region’s economy is diversifying, but the gap between Appalachian communities and national averages in income, broadband access, and business formation persists.

AI tools that help small businesses do more with less aren’t a luxury in this context. They’re an economic development strategy. A contractor who uses AI-powered dispatch to handle more jobs without hiring a scheduler. A restaurant owner who uses automated review management instead of paying a marketing firm. These aren’t hypothetical — they’re exactly the kind of “innovative ideas for economic development that can be replicated elsewhere in the region” that ARC is looking for.

It fits a broader pattern

This conference announcement comes alongside other signals that Appalachian states are taking technology and business development seriously. West Virginia just passed the Small Business Growth Act, creating tax-credit-backed growth funds for businesses with fewer than 250 employees. The state also held its inaugural Outdoor Economy Summit in February, exploring how to unlock $2.1 billion in economic potential. At the federal level, NIST recently allocated $3.19 million in SBIR grants to small businesses working on AI, biotech, and semiconductors.

The message is consistent: government at every level is betting on small businesses and technology — AI in particular — to drive the next phase of Appalachian economic growth.

Our take

ARC calling out AI as a conference topic is a milestone, not a surprise. The digital transformation already underway in Appalachian communities has been building for years. What’s new is that the institutional framework — the grants, the conferences, the legislative incentives — is catching up to what business owners on the ground already know: AI tools are a competitive necessity.

The bottom line: When the agency that funds Appalachian economic development starts asking for AI presentations, it’s time to pay attention. The businesses that can demonstrate AI-driven results now will be positioned to capture the grants, contracts, and partnerships that follow.

What’s missing from the conversation

Implementation support: Conferences inspire, but most small business owners need hands-on help deploying AI tools, not another panel discussion. ARC should pair conference programming with technical assistance grants.
Rural broadband as a prerequisite: AI adoption depends on reliable internet. Until the Appalachian Development Highway System’s broadband equivalent is complete, AI remains out of reach for the region’s most distressed communities.

What you should do

If you’re considering a proposal

The deadline is February 27. If your business or organization has a story about using technology to solve an economic development challenge in Appalachia, submit a proposal. Express sessions are 15 minutes — enough time to share a concrete case study without months of preparation.

If you’re not presenting

Start building your AI track record now. When ARC grant applications start asking about technology adoption — and they will — you’ll want documented results. Even small wins count: reduced response times, faster scheduling, automated customer follow-ups.
Watch for ARISE and Area Development grants. ARC’s ARISE initiative awards up to $10 million per project. Area Development grants fund workforce training and business development. Both are likely to favor applicants with technology components in the next cycle.
Connect with your state ARC program manager. Every Appalachian state has an ARC liaison. They can help you understand what’s fundable and how to position an AI-related project.

Stay informed

Looking ahead

ARC’s 2026 conference won’t singlehandedly transform AI adoption in Appalachia. But it marks the moment when AI moved from a private-sector conversation to a public-sector priority for the region. The businesses that are already using AI to serve customers, manage operations, and grow revenue will be the ones best positioned to benefit.

If you’re an Appalachian business owner exploring AI for the first time, you don’t need to wait for a conference or a grant. The tools are available now, and the returns are immediate. See how AI solutions can work for your business — or get in touch to talk through what makes sense for your situation.