| ARC
has provided special funds for the Region's poorest counties
since 1983. Currently 118 counties qualify for distressed
county status on the basis of low per capita income and high
rates of poverty and unemployment.
The
distressed county program focuses on providing badly-needed
public facilities, especially systems to furnish clean drinking
water and sanitary waste disposal, and human resource projects
such as literacy training. Under pre-1983 guidelines, most
of these counties were too poor to qualify for federal aid
for these facilities.
Map
of Distressed Counties
List
of Distressed Counties
| |
U.S. Average |
Distressed County |
| Unemployment Rate |
5.3% |
8.0% or more |
| Poverty Rate |
13.1% |
19.7% or more |
| Per Capita Market Income |
$20,409 |
$13,674 or less |
Distressed
counties have at least 150% of the U.S. Unemployment Rate
(8.0%), 150% of the U.S. Poverty Rate (19.7%), and less than
67% of the U.S. Per Capita Market Income ($13,674), or 200%
poverty and one other indicator. |
