The study uses a novel methodology to estimate the quantity and value of freight flows and commodity shipments in Appalachia using publicly available data and provides an assessment of freight employment and contribution to economic development in the Region. The study also provides detailed case studies of freight logistics facilities in Appalachia to understand how they were funded, the markets they serve, and how they support the region’s economic development.

Network Appalachia is a multimodal transportation initiative supported by the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) to open the Appalachian Region and successfully link the businesses, communities, and people of the Region to local, national, and global markets and destinations. In 2010, ARC completed a Network Appalachia study describing the intermodal freight transportation network in the Region. Over a decade later, the study and its supporting data are outdated and no longer represent the ever-changing Region. This updated report provides key insights into the freight trends, challenges, and opportunities facing the Region today.