The nonprofit Bipartisan Policy Center is teaming up with four U.S. Senators to unveil a detailed economic initiative for Appalachia. The goal is to help reverse struggles with poverty and isolation in the region. Appalachia spans thirteen states including Alabama, and has more than twenty five million people The senators are Democrats Joe Manchin of West Virginia and Mark Warner of Virginia and Republicans David Perdue of Georgia and Thom Tillis of North Carolina. The lawmakers say Appalachia has been disproportionately hurt economic shifts and declines in coal and traditional manufacturing that cost many jobs. The Senators say the focus is pragmatic policy solutions for developing the work force, creating jobs, improving health care and strengthening infrastructure and energy sectors.
New effort to help with poverty in Appalachia
