Skip to main content


Appalachian Regional Commission

          
CLOSE
        Appalachian Region
              Data Overview of the Appalachian Region
                      Appalachian States
                      Appalachian Counties Served by ARC
                      County Economic Status and Distressed Areas in Appalachia
                      Tribal Communities in the Appalachian Region
                      Congressional Districts in Appalachia
                      Local Development Districts in Appalachia
      Investment Priorities
              Building Businesses
                      Workforce Ecosystems
                              Addressing Substance Use Disorder
                      Community Infrastructure
                              Transportation in Appalachia
                      Regional Culture and Tourism
                      Community Leaders and Capacity
                              READY Appalachia
                      Investments in Action
      Grants and Opportunities
              About ARC Grants
                              Match Requirements for ARC Grants
                      Funding Opportunities
                              Area Development ProgramOpen
                                      ARISE InitiativeOpen
                                      INSPIRE Initiative
                                      POWER InitiativeOpen
                                      WORC InitiativeOpen
                      Capacity Building Opportunities
                              Academies and Institutes
                                      READY Appalachia
                      Additional Opportunities
                              Access to Capital Program
                                      Appalachian Regional Energy Hub Initiative
                                      J-1 Visa Waiver Program
                                      Local Access Road Program
                      Contract Opportunities
                      Applicant Resources
                      Grantee Resources
                      Approved ARC Projects
      Research and Data
              Research Reports
                      Evaluations
                      Maps
                      Data Report Tool
                      Fact Sheets and Infographics
      Academies and Institutes
              Appalachian Collegiate Research Initiative
                      Appalachian Entrepreneurship Academy
                      Appalachian Leadership Institute
                      Appalachian STEM Academy
      About ARC
              History and Work
                      Structure and Leadership
                              ARC Offices & Staff
                                      State Partners
                                      Local Development Districts
                                      Office of Inspector General
                      Budget, Performance, and Policy
                      Newsroom
                      Careers at ARC
                      Internships at ARC
      SearchSearch
    Search

              Events
      Newsroom
      Get ARC Updates
      Inspector GeneralFacebook
      Twitter
      Youtube
      LinkedIn You are here
    HomeNewsroomNewsAppalachian Regional Commission Seeks Proposals for Economic Diversification Projects in Region’s Coal-Impacted Communities

      	
	
Appalachian Regional Commission Seeks Proposals for Economic Diversification Projects in Region’s Coal-Impacted Communities
	
			February 22, 2022
                **Media Contact:**
											Janiene BohannonPress Release
	
				
	
	
	*~$25 Million in ARC POWER Grant Funding Available to Help Communities Affected by Downturn of Coal Industry*

**WASHINGTON, D.C., February 22, 2022** — Today the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for its POWER (Partnerships for Opportunity and Workforce and Economic Revitalization) Initiative, which supports economic diversification in Appalachia’s communities affected by job losses in coal mining, coal power plant operations, and coal-related supply chain industries.

The POWER Initiative makes available approximately $25 million in federal resources to leverage entrepreneurship, workforce development efforts, and infrastructure projects to bolster job training and reemployment opportunities, create jobs in existing or new industries, and attract new sources of private investment in coal-impacted communities.

“Meaningful POWER projects are resulting in economic transformations and providing hope in coal-impacted communities all around Appalachia,” said **ARC Federal Co-Chair Gayle Manchin**. “ARC looks forward to assisting communities in our 13 Appalachian states as they pursue initiatives leading to a brighter future for our region.”

Since POWER’s establishment in 2015, ARC has invested more than $294 million in 369 projects across 354 coal-impacted Appalachian counties. Together, ARC’s investments are projected to have helped create or retain more than 35,300 jobs and prepare more than 10,000 workers and students for new opportunities in entrepreneurship, broadband development, tourism, and other emerging industry sectors.

“It is vital that we continue to invest in communities throughout Appalachia that are affected by job losses in the coal industry,” said **ARC States’ Co-Chair Governor Larry Hogan** of Maryland. “Projects made possible with investments from ARC’s POWER Initiative will continue to help revitalize the workforce through new opportunities in various industries.”

Successful POWER grant applications will demonstrate the ability to produce diverse economic development outcomes, including diversifying commercial and industrial bases of local and regional economies, creating well-paying jobs 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 multiple economic development systems and support the implementation of existing economic development strategic plans on a local, regional, or federal level.

Letters of Intent (LOI) for implementation grants up to $1.5 million and planning grants up to $50,000 under POWER are due April 4, 2022. The deadline for final applications is April 29, 2022. Award announcements are anticipated to be made in the fall of 2022. Additional information regarding the application process is available at www.arc.gov/power.

Prospective applicants are encouraged to participate in a virtual pre-application workshop on Tuesday, March 10, 2022. ARC staff will outline key points in the new RFP and the characteristics of a successful application, and attendees will have the opportunity to ask their questions during an interactive Q&A session. Learn more and register here.

**About the Appalachian Regional Commission**The Appalachian Regional Commission is an economic development agency of the federal government and 13 state governments focusing on 423 counties across the Appalachian Region. ARC’s mission is to innovate, partner, and invest to build community capacity and strengthen economic growth in Appalachia to help the Region achieve socioeconomic parity with the nation. Appalachian Regional Commission

          About ARC Grants
      Grants and Opportunities
      Newsroom
      Contract Opportunities
      Contact ARC
      Careers

  Get ARC News and Updates
    
    
                
  Sign Up Here
    Web and Privacy Policy