About
At PROGRESS Appalachia, our work begins with a simple belief: that Appalachia already holds the strength, skill, and creativity needed to thrive. Through our three core pillars—Appalachia Grows, Appalachia Builds, and Appalachia Thrives—we channel that strength into action.
Each pillar represents a cornerstone of regional resilience: food sovereignty and agricultural innovation, construction and energy infrastructure, and the workforce and community systems that sustain both.
Together, these focus areas form more than programs—they create a networked ecosystem of people, partners, and projects designed to break cycles of poverty, economic decline, and disinvestment.
By linking higher education, industry, and local innovation, PROGRESS transforms individual projects into interconnected systems of development that strengthen entire communities across seven Appalachian states.
Advanced Housing
Sustainable & innovative housing solutions that provide stability & growth
Agriculture
Sustainable farming practices that support local economies
Public-Private Partnerships
Collaborative efforts between organizations to maximize impact
Workforce Development
Training programs that prepare participants for future-proof careers
Ecosystem Development Approach
Our ecosystem development approach builds prosperity from the ground up—linking housing, workforce, technology, climate resilience, and community systems into one interconnected framework.
Each layer supports the next: stable housing creates the foundation for participation in future-ready workforce programs; technology integration bridges rural gaps and expands access; climate resilience ensures sustainability for generations to come; and integrated community systems help people and places truly thrive.
Together, these components form a model of development that is practical, scalable, and built for the realities of Appalachia.
Socially Responsible Market Accelerators
Our approach doesn’t end with theory—it translates into real-world accelerators that put innovation to work for communities.
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Each initiative is a proof point that development done right can fuel both economic growth and social good.
Impact & Vision for the Future
We envision a future where the American Dream is within reach for all, transforming rural economies through innovation and ensuring that historically underserved communities can thrive through equitable access to sustainable resources.
