Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) Seeks Applicants for Economic Diversification Projects in Region’s Coal-Impacted Communities
The Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for its POWER (Partnerships for Opportunity and Workforce and Economic Revitalization) Initiative. POWER targets federal resources to bring economic diversification and new opportunities to Appalachian communities affected by job losses in coal mining, coal power plant operations, and coal-related supply chain industries.
ARC is making up to $65 million available in FY 2023 for POWER funding to leverage entrepreneurship, workforce development, infrastructure, agriculture, and other projects to enhance job training and reemployment opportunities, create jobs in existing or new industries, and attract new sources of private investment in coal-impacted communities.
Successful POWER grant applications will demonstrate the ability to produce diverse economic development outcomes, including diversifying local and regional economic bases, creating stable employment opportunities in new or emerging industries, expanding workforce service and skills training, and attracting new sources of public and private investment. Proposals may also include plans to integrate activities with existing economic development projects and support the implementation of existing economic development strategic plans on a local, regional, or federal level.
Key dates for the FY 2023 POWER Initiative:
- February 21, 2023: Pre-Application Workshop (Virtual) – REGISTER
- March 2, 2023: Northern Appalachia Pre-Application Workshop (Pittsburgh, PA) – REGISTER
- March 8, 2023: POWER Letters of Intent (LOI) due
- April 19, 2023: Final POWER Applications due
- Fall 2023: Awards announced
Since POWER’s establishment in 2015, ARC has invested more than $368 million in 449 projects across 360 coal-impacted Appalachian counties. According to the most recent evaluation of POWER grants, ARC’s investments are projected to have helped create or retain nearly 40,000 jobs and prepare more than 100,000 workers and students for new opportunities in entrepreneurship, broadband development, tourism, agriculture and food systems, and other growing industries.
Additional information about POWER and the application process can be found at arc.gov/arcs-power-initiative. Interested applicants in the Buckeye Hills region of Southeast Ohio may also contact Sam Miller, Development Director, at smiller@buckeyehills.org or 740-376-1028.