Appalachian backroads granted ARC ARISE funding for expansion of adventure travel route
Backroads of Appalachia, a pioneering organisation in transforming former coal towns into destinations for adventure seekers, has been awarded a substantial ARISE grant of $3,809,250 from the Appalachian Regional Commission. This funding will be instrumental in the development of the American Rally Association (ARA) National Rally Training Center in Owsley County, Kentucky, as part of the broader Appalachian Overland Triangle initiative.
The ARISE grant positions Backroads of Appalachia to deepen its impact through partnerships with local governments, small businesses, and workforce development agencies. The project aims to use motorsports and adventure tourism to drive sustainable economic revitalization in Eastern Kentucky and Central Appalachia, particularly in some of the poorest rural counties that were once heavily reliant on coal mining.
The training center, situated on a 200-plus-acre site near the Daniel Boone National Forest, will offer a 60,000-square-foot facility with shop bays, classrooms, and a 1.4-mile off-road course for testing and training rally officials, competitors, and manufacturers. The centre aims to establish a world-class rally workforce by providing a base for recruiting, training, and retaining personnel to support and expand stage rally events nationally.
This motorsports facility is expected to bring much-needed revenue and economic activity to Owsley County and surrounding rural areas by attracting motorsports tourism, events, and related business development. The Appalachian Overland Triangle initiative is a multi-state effort involving Kentucky, West Virginia, and Ohio to revitalize local economies by leveraging natural terrain and motorsports opportunities, promoting sustainable outdoor tourism.
Construction and site preparation have already begun, with the training center expected to open in 2026. The location is accessible yet still requires off-road vehicles for some access until infrastructure like a bridge is completed. The headquarters of Backroads of Appalachia will be located on Sturgeon Creek in Owsley County, Kentucky.
Over 2,000 square feet of renovated space will be used for training facilities and administrative uses, while additional square footage will be allocated for maintenance workshops and storage. Support for RV parking and overnight stays will be provided, and water and wastewater infrastructure, along with 2,500 linear feet of access roads for emergency services, will be developed.
The ARISE grant project is expected to bring millions in economic impact to the region. Backroads of Appalachia has already brought over 100,000 visitors to the region in just a few years, and this new development is set to further cement its role as a premier motorsports and outdoor recreation destination. The organisation has created a new Appalachian narrative rooted in beauty, grit, and gear.
The success of this project will not only advance rally sports in the U.S. but also create a long-term economic and job growth engine through sustainable tourism and motorsports industries in Appalachia, addressing decades of economic challenges in the region. The support from local and state officials, including Kentucky Senate President Robert Stivers, Representative Chris Fugate, and Owsley County Judge/Executive Zeke Little Jr., was crucial in securing this funding and vision for economic development via motorsports.
- The American Rally Association (ARA) National Rally Training Center, set to be built in Owsley County, Kentucky, will be financed by a substantial ARISE grant from the Appalachian Regional Commission.
- The training center will aim to use motorsports and adventure tourism to drive sustainable economic revitalization in Eastern Kentucky and Central Appalachia.
- The center will provide a base for recruiting, training, and retaining personnel to support and expand stage rally events nationally, contributing to the sports industry.
- The development is expected to bring much-needed revenue to Owsley County and surrounding rural areas by attracting motorsports tourism and events, boosting the local business and lifestyle.
- The headquarters of Backroads of Appalachia, a pioneer in transforming former coal towns into adventure destinations, will be located on Sturgeon Creek in Owsley County, Kentucky.
- The project, led by Backroads of Appalachia in partnership with local governments, small businesses, and workforce development agencies, aims to create a long-term economic and job growth engine through sustainable tourism and motorsports industries, addressing decades of economic challenges in the region.
