Invest Appalachia sees this vision becoming reality every day. As part of this regional movement, we invest and collaborate to build resilient, equitable communities centered on the unique cultural, environmental, and human assets of Central Appalachia. Our strategy? Channel investment that helps accelerate key sectors, boost racial and socioeconomic equity, prepare communities for climate change, and promote lasting, inclusive prosperity.
2023 was our first full year in action, and we’re seeing our values and vision reflected in reality. We continue to see – and show – that Central Appalachia is investable, that rural communities do have capacity, and that equity and resilience can and should be the cornerstones of a regional economy. Change is gradual and this is long-term work, but we are already seeing impacts.
$2.3M in Catalytic Capital committed across 30 projects, leveraging $9.1M
$4.8M invested through the IA Fund, leveraging $24.1M
50,000+ people impacted across 115 counties
$35.5M in new capital, 80% from investors outside the region
Our Model
Six years of collaboration led us to develop an impact-first investment model tailored to the needs of Central Appalachia. We leverage blended capital to unlock markets previously considered uninvestable, build partnerships with a diverse range of investors, and build a system-wide approach to impactful investing. Our approach is flexible and collaborative, meeting communities where they are and breaking down systemic barriers. The result? Equitable outcomes that extend far beyond individual financial transactions.
Find out more about How We Work »
We focus on underserved communities - places where capital does not flow easily.
- 75% of the IA Fund loans were deployed in collaboration with other investors, closing critical gaps in capital flow to Appalachian communities.
- 78% of the IA Fund loans were “but-for” investments, where IA took a subordinate position to lending partners, provided unconventionally flexible terms, or offered credit enhancements critical to unlocking deals.
- 34% of Catalytic Capital was deployed as credit enhancements like loan guarantees, directly supporting repayable financing from the IA Fund and investment partners.
- 89% of Catalytic Capital is set to be repaid, enabling continuous support for future projects.
- $615,000 in Catalytic Capital was allocated to local partners for recovery and rebuilding efforts in flood-impacted communities in Southeast Kentucky, alongside $1.5M from the IA Fund, leveraging an additional $3.9M from other sources.
- 69% of IA Catalytic Capital projects were women-led projects and 28% were led by BIPOC communities
- 20% of total investment from the IA Fund was directed towards BIPOC-led projects
- 71% of IA Fund loans and 95% of IA Catalytic Capital went to communities that are some combination of Economically Distressed, Coal-Impacted, and Rural.
Many of our supported projects are just breaking ground, but we’re already seeing the impact. Over the next three years, these projects and others will produce results that demonstrate the power of our model. Our focus remains on supporting underserved communities, building a sustainable and inclusive future for Central Appalachia.
Join Us.
Explore our full 2023 Impact Report and celebrate these achievements with us. Partner with Invest Appalachia to drive lasting and inclusive economic opportunities for Central Appalachia.
Thank you for your part in this work.
Many people and organizations have invested time and effort to make the work of Invest Appalachia possible. We appreciate your support and ongoing partnership yesterday, today, and tomorrow.
A special thank you to our…
- Team
- Board of Directors
- Investment Committee
- Community Advisory Council
- Investors and Funders
- Lenders
- Community Development Partners
Do you have an idea for a project?
Are you a prospective borrower (business, non-profit organization, developer, or other kind of project sponsor)? Are you a lender or financial intermediary looking for co-investment, loan participations, or re-lending capital? Submit a project to Invest Appalachia.
