ReImagine Appalachia

What ReImagine Appalachia does

ReImagine Appalachia is a nonprofit coalition founded in 2019 that develops policy frameworks, research reports, toolkits, and GIS mapping tools aimed at restructuring the Appalachian regional economy around sustainability, manufacturing revival, and a just transition from fossil fuel dependence. Its outputs include the Appalachian Manufacturing Action Plan (2025), the Shuttered Coal Plant Handbook (2025), bioplastics research (2025), and the "Catching Heat" report on data center waste heat (2026). The coalition serves a multi-stakeholder audience spanning labor unions, local governments, manufacturers, environmental organizations, and community groups across the Appalachian region.

The organization operates a convening and content-publication model rather than a product or service business: deliverables are typically open research and policy artifacts distributed to influence public-sector decision-making and coalition member strategy. Notable technical components include GIS-based mapping tools supporting regional analysis and visualization of economic and environmental data, which sit alongside the written frameworks. No proprietary software platform, paid subscription, or transactional revenue model is evident.

ReImagine Appalachia is funded through grants and philanthropic donations, consistent with its nonprofit status. Its go-to-market is institutional advocacy and coalition-building — exemplified by the Ohio AFL-CIO resolution of support (2022), the inaugural Strategy Summit (2022), and ongoing publication cadence — rather than commercial sales. With a reported staffing footprint of roughly 1-10 employees, it is a small, mission-driven organization whose financial scale is not publicly disclosed.

Name

ReImagine Appalachia

Legal name

ReImagine Appalachia

Website

https://reimagineappalachia.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2019

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

ReImagine Appalachia is a nonprofit coalition founded in 2019 that produces policy frameworks, research reports, and GIS mapping tools to drive sustainable economic transformation in Appalachia for labor unions, local governments, manufacturers, and community organizations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Policy Advocacy and Community Economic Development

NAICS

Business Associations (813910), Environmental Consulting Services (541620)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Climate Change Mitigation & Adaptation (BPAGAGAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Climate Adaptation & Resilience Programs (BPADALAD), Infrastructure, Housing & Community Development (BPAGABAL), Affordable Housing & Community Development (Housing, Community Land Trusts) (BPAGALAC)

Keywords

• Policy advocacy coalition
• Economic transition research
• Community planning toolkits
• Regional manufacturing strategy
• Climate infrastructure advocacy

Headquarters

HQ city

Appalachia

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Foundation and Grant Funding: ReImagine Appalachia operates as a nonprofit coalition funded through grants and donations from foundations and partners. Funding supports coalition operations, research, and advocacy work.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

ReImagine Appalachia is a nonprofit policy and advocacy coalition that produces research reports, policy platforms, and community planning toolkits supporting economic transformation across Appalachian communities. Its core deliverables include the Appalachian Manufacturing Action Plan (AMAP), the ReImagining the Shuttered Coal Plant Handbook, the ReImagine Your Community Toolkit, a Manufacturing Assets Map (GIS tool), coalition and nonprofit management resources, and technical reports on topics such as data center waste heat and bioplastics. All resources are offered free of charge to communities, local governments, labor unions, and partner organizations.

Product overview

ReImagine Appalachia is a diverse coalition offering a portfolio of research reports, policy frameworks, and community toolkits rather than a unified software product. The core offerings include the Appalachian Manufacturing Action Plan (AMAP) for regional manufacturing strategy, the ReImagining the Shuttered Coal Plant Handbook for brownfield redevelopment, the ReImagine Your Community Toolkit for local engagement, and coalition management resources for partner organizations. Additional products include technical reports on data center waste heat recovery, bioplastics market research, and a Manufacturing Assets Map for investor outreach. These resources work together to support Appalachian communities in transitioning to a 21st century sustainable economy through policy advocacy, community engagement, and economic development planning.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Appalachian Manufacturing Action Plan (AMAP) A strategic regional planning framework positioning Appalachia as a hub for sustainable manufacturing and clean energy economy, incorporating policy priorities, stakeholder feedback mechanisms, and federal policy platform development. Developed for Appalachian manufacturers, workers, and communities seeking to participate in the clean manufacturing transition.
• ReImagining the Shuttered Coal Plant Handbook A comprehensive toolkit providing guidance for Appalachian communities on redeveloping shuttered coal plants into sustainable manufacturing hubs, covering site assessment, visioning, financial assistance, and community engagement principles. Designed for local governments, community developers, and site owners facing brownfield redevelopment decisions.
• ReImagine Your Community Toolkit A community development toolkit providing resources for local engagement, visioning processes, and project implementation for Appalachian communities seeking to participate in sustainable development initiatives. Built around participatory action research methodology.
• Coalition & Nonprofit Management Resources A collection of templates and guides including event planning templates, grant-writing and reporting templates, facilitation skills resources, outreach templates, and coalition building presentations for partner organizations. Targeted at coalition partner nonprofits and community groups managing similar organizing work.
• Catching Heat: Using Waste Heat from Appalachian AI Data Centers Report A technical policy report examining opportunities and challenges for capturing and reusing waste heat from AI data centers in Appalachia, including case studies, policy recommendations, and analysis of district heating applications. Targeted at policymakers, economic developers, and data center stakeholders.
• From Plastics to Bioplastics Research Research and GIS mapping analysis exploring the potential for bioplastics manufacturing in Appalachia, examining bio-based feedstock supply chains, regional manufacturing strengths, and policy solutions for building a biomaterials economy. Targeted at manufacturers, policymakers, and economic development organizations.
• Manufacturing Assets Map A data visualization and GIS mapping tool mapping manufacturing assets across Appalachia to help communities attract investors and showcase regional strengths for economic development. Targeted at economic development organizations, manufacturers, and investors evaluating Appalachian opportunities.
• Responsible Development Resources Policy resources and guides helping communities ensure climate infrastructure investments benefit local workers and residents, including community benefits agreement frameworks and local government guidance. Targeted at local government officials, community negotiators, and developers engaging in responsible development projects.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 100 local elected officials signed on to support climate infrastructure plan
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

19 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and supporting.

• Ohio River Valley InstitutecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborates on economic research and workforce development initiatives. Ohio River Valley Institute provides research support for workforce disconnection studies and economic development analysis supporting ReImagine Appalachia's policy positions.
• American Manufacturing Communities Collaborative (AMCC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to develop the Appalachian Manufacturing Action Plan (A-MAP). Collaboration on the Summer Roadshow Discussion Series to gather feedback from manufacturers across the region.
• ACT-NOW CoalitioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on the Appalachian Manufacturing Action Plan development and stakeholder engagement across the Appalachian region.
• Appalachian Citizens Law CentermajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartners on disaster resilience and policy advocacy initiatives. ACLC facilitates workshops on federal policy and local action for disaster resilience.
• National Wildlife FederationmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on Appalachian policy priorities including flooding platform development and federal appropriations advocacy.
• Invest AppalachiamajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides expertise on capital stacking and financing strategies for community projects. Facilitated workshops on strategic funding approaches.
• Marshall UniversitymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on university-community partnerships and research initiatives. Marshall University helps facilitate connections between academic resources and community needs.
• Keystone Research CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-Director Stephen Herzenberg serves as Executive Director of Keystone Research Center. Partnership on economic research, budget analysis, and policy advocacy.
• State AFL-CIO OrganizationscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFour-state AFL-CIO organizations collaborate on labor standards, community benefits agreements, and workforce development policies. The Ohio AFL-CIO passed a ReImagine Appalachia resolution at their 2022 convention.
• Pennsylvania AFL-CIOcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership on labor standards, Davis-Bacon Act advocacy, and community benefits agreements for federal infrastructure projects.
• Appalachian Funders NetworkmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on equitable distribution of philanthropic resources to Appalachian communities and addressing the philanthropic gap for the region.
• Data for ProgresssupportingTechnology or IntegrationProvides data and research support for responsible data center development policy analysis and advocacy.
• Buckeye Hills Regional CouncilsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on StoryMap development and regional marketing to investors as a 'full package' rather than individual communities.
• Fair Shake Environmental Legal ServicessupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on local network building and community legal resources for Appalachian organizations.
• PA Foundation for Fair ContractingmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership on workforce reconnection strategies and targeted employment programs for disconnected workers.
• Central Appalachian Network (CAN)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on viewing economic development as integral to flood resilience and community sustainability.
• We Make the FuturesupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides communications training using race-class narrative frameworks to help coalitions bridge community divisions.
• Clear Point CommunicationssupportingImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerProvides traditional media training and messaging strategy consultation for coalition communications.
• Bolder AdvocacysupportingImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerProvides training on nonpartisan advocacy for 501(c)(3) organizations during election seasons.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA): Research organization producing energy transition and economic analysis, including significant work on Appalachia and the Ohio River Valley. Comparable as a peer research and advocacy organization driving narratives around energy transition.
• Keystone Research Center: Pennsylvania-focused economic and labor research organization whose Executive Director (Stephen Herzenberg) is also ReImagine Appalachia's Co-Director. They share economic research, budget analysis, and policy advocacy across overlapping constituencies.
• Just Transition Fund: Philanthropic fund specifically focused on coal-community economic transitions and just transition advocacy in Appalachia. Overlaps directly with ReImagine Appalachia's shuttered coal plant redevelopment and workforce reconnection work.
• Appalachian Funders Network: Network of foundations and funders active in Appalachia focused on equitable resource distribution. A named partner of ReImagine Appalachia that works alongside the coalition on philanthropic strategy for the region.
• West Virginia Center on Budget & Policy: State-level policy organization focused on fiscal policy, economic opportunity, and budget advocacy in West Virginia. Directly comparable as a state-level think tank advancing policy for low-income and working families in the Appalachian region.
• American Manufacturing Communities Collaborative (AMCC): Collaborative focused on strengthening U.S. manufacturing communities through stakeholder engagement and policy work. A named core partner of ReImagine Appalachia on the Appalachian Manufacturing Action Plan and Summer Roadshow series.
• Appalachian Citizens Law Center (ACLC): Nonprofit law and policy center focused on the Appalachian region, particularly on environmental justice, mining-impacted communities, and flood resilience – a direct partner of ReImagine Appalachia on disaster resilience and federal policy advocacy.
• Center for Rural Strategies: Nonprofit media and advocacy organization serving rural and Appalachian communities through storytelling and policy communication. Operates as a peer coalition-builder on rural economic and cultural issues in the same region.
• Ohio River Valley Institute: Research and policy think tank focused on Appalachian economic transformation, energy transition, and workforce disconnection. It is a named core research partner of ReImagine Appalachia and operates in the same four-state geography with overlapping issue priorities.

Broad incumbents

• National Wildlife Federation: Large national environmental organization that collaborates with ReImagine Appalachia on flooding platform development and federal appropriations advocacy. Comparable as a broader incumbent advocating for conservation and climate-resilience policy at scale.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/reimagine_appalachia
• TikToktiktok.com/@reimagineappalachia
• Xx.com/newdeal4us
• Facebookfacebook.com/ReImagineAppalachia
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/reimagine-appalachia

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about ReImagine Appalachia