THIS EDA INVESTMENT SUPPORTS THE APPALACHIAN CLIMATE TECHNOLOGY (ACT NOW) COALITION, LED BY THE COALFIELD DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION, WITH SPURRING JOB GROWTH IN 21 ECONOMICALLY DISTRESSED AND COAL-IMPACTED COUNTIES IN SOUTHERN WEST VIRGINIA BY CREATING A HUB OF CLEAN ENERGY AND GREEN ECONOMY JOBS. THE COALITION WILL SUPPORT THE TRANSITION FROM COAL TO SOLAR POWER AND WILL IMPLEMENT SUSTAINABLE REUSE PROJECTS ON ABANDONED MINE SITES, REJUVENATE BROWNFIELD SITES WITH NEW FACILITIES, AND DEVELOP ENTREPRENEURIAL PROGRAMS TO SUPPORT EMPLOYMENT. ONCE IMPLEMENTED, THE INVESTMENT WILL HELP DEVELOP AND STRENGTHEN REGIONAL INDUSTRY CLUSTERS - ALL WHILE EMBRACING ECONOMIC EQUITY, CREATING GOOD-PAYING JOBS, AND ENHANCING U.S. COMPETITIVENESS GLOBALLY.