FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September, 3 2026
CONTACT: Bay Epperly, phone: 304-747-8031, email: [email protected]
APPALACHIA – Tuesday, September 8, 2026, at noon ET via Zoom, ReImagine Appalachia and the American Manufacturing Communities Collaborative will host a webinar to gather stakeholder feedback for the Appalachian Manufacturing Action Plan (A-MAP). This Summer, the groups toured manufacturing communities in three Appalachian states, gathering feedback on the top priorities for a community-driven manufacturing strategy. Now, virtual attendees can share input for the Appalachian Manufacturing Action Plan.
A-MAP outlines action steps for turning the region into a hub for sustainable manufacturing. It explores both the region’s existing manufacturing strengths and challenges, as identified by a range of community stakeholders. Strengths in metals, plastics, and building materials all have a role to play in new and growing markets, but resources and technical assistance are needed to take full advantage of these opportunities. Challenges for the region include the high number of young people leaving for economic opportunity and the region’s disproportionately low labor force participation rate among those who stay (due to years of economic stagnation in the region, loss of hope, and ongoing barriers to employment). Tackling these challenges requires investing in the region’s people to recruit and train them for growing opportunities in advanced manufacturing while breaking down barriers to employment through paid on-the-job training opportunities for apprentices and pre-apprentices, as well as access to child care, reliable transportation, and other workforce support programs.
The A-MAP further explores how to leverage other existing assets in the Ohio River Valley Region of Appalachia, such as the region’s shuttered coal plants which can be redeveloped into advanced industrial zones, the region’s comprehensive system of union apprenticeship and career tech programs that generate the region’s highly-skilled workforce, and the extensive network of stellar universities that industry can tap for research and development purposes.
At this event, those who could not attend the in-person Appalachian Manufacturing Roadshow events will get an overview of the vision, assets, challenges, and action items needed to transform manufacturing in Appalachia, and an opportunity to share insights and priorities for the finalized A-MAP.
WHO: ReImagine Appalachia and the American Manufacturing Communities Collaborative (AMCC)
WHEN: Tuesday, September 8, at noon ET.
WHERE: Virtual via Zoom
REGISTRATION: https://reimagineappalachia.org/appalachian-manufacturing-action-plan-summer-roadshow-discussion-series-virtual-event/
About ReImagine Appalachia
ReImagine Appalachia is a coalition working to ensure Appalachia is a leader in the clean energy economy and that the new economy creates good jobs and strengthens communities.