Alabama is one of nine states to receive grant money through the Appalachian Regional Commission for economic development and other initiatives in coal-industry impacted areas.

The state will received $1.45 million through the Partnerships for Opportunity and Workforce and Economic Revitalization (POWER) Initiative. In all the program is pumping $21.8 million into 33 programs geared toward investment, manufacturing, technology and other outreaches.

Alabama’s ARC grant will benefit West Alabama Works in Tuscaloosa for the POWER2 Expand Initiative.

The program is a partnership of the West Alabama Chamber of Commerce and West Alabama Works, the regional workforce council. Additional support is being provided by the Alabama Department of Commerce and Cengage Learning.

The money will help deliver training and reemployment opportunities to residents in 10 coal-impacted counties - Bibb, Fayette, Hale, Jefferson, Lamar, Marion, Pickens, Shelby, Tuscaloosa, and Walker.

The program was created to benefit high school students and adults with industry-driven credentials, as well as unemployed and underemployed individuals with adult basic education and advanced training opportunities. The end result, planners hope, will enable participants to obtain the necessary credentials to earn a livable wage.

The training programs include everything from GED to short- and long-term postsecondary training. Organizers say the project will improve 1,615 workers/trainees, connect 1,020 individuals with employment and equip 859 individuals with industry-recognized credentials.