North Carolina

Appalachian Regional

Commission Program

2024 Annual Strategy Statement

North Carolina ARC 2024 Strategy 

Statement

In accordance with Section 5.3 of the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) Code, this

document serves as North Carolina’s ARC Annual Strategy Statement for Fiscal Year 2024 

(October 1, 2024 – September 30, 2024). The purpose of the Strategy Statement is to set forth 

goals, objectives, priorities, and policies for North Carolina’s ARC counties. Implementation of

the Strategy will continue to meet the diverse and shifting needs of ARC counties in North 

Carolina by targeting resources to assist in meeting those needs. The 2024 Strategy

Statement:

1. Discusses the economic challenges and opportunities, as well as new developments

and resources, that are impacting the state’s Appalachian counties;

2. Provides an overview of targeted investment priorities for the program year;

3. Sets forth state operating program policies; and

4. Describes the methods used to review proposals to ensure an equitable allocation of

state contributions for projects in its Appalachian area.

Governor Roy Cooper serves as North Carolina’s Commission member; Jim McCleskey, 

Director, Washington D.C. Office, serves as his Alternate. The North Carolina Department of 

Commerce is responsible for the administration of the North Carolina ARC Program.

The Appalachian region of North Carolina consists of 31 counties: Alexander, Alleghany, Ashe, 

Avery, Buncombe, Burke, Caldwell, Catawba, Cherokee, Clay, Cleveland, Davie, Forsyth, 

Graham, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Macon, Madison, McDowell, Mitchell, Polk, 

Rutherford, Stokes, Surry, Swain, Transylvania, Watauga, Wilkes, Yadkin, and Yancey.
The Region’s six Local Development Districts (LDDs) and various state and federal agencies 

assist North Carolina’s ARC Program with project development.

The Local Development Districts are:

• Southwestern Commission (Region A): Cherokee, Clay, Graham, Haywood, Jackson, 

Macon, and Swain counties;

• Land-of-Sky Regional Council (Region B): Buncombe, Henderson, Madison, and 

Transylvania counties;

• Foothills Regional Commission (Region C): Cleveland, McDowell, Polk, and Rutherford 

counties;

• High Country Council of Governments (Region D): Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Mitchell, 

Watauga, Wilkes, and Yancey counties;

• Western Piedmont Council of Governments (Region E): Alexander, Burke, Caldwell, 

and Catawba counties; and

• Piedmont Triad Regional Council (Region G): Davie, Forsyth, Stokes, Surry, and Yadkin 

counties.

Federal, State, and Local Partners:

The close cooperation between the federal, state, and local governments, along with the nonprofit sector, ensures transparency and comprehensiveness in development of the North 

Carolina ARC Program. The Program collaborates with federal agencies that include: the 

United States Department of Agriculture, the Environmental Protection Agency, the 

Economic Development Administration, and the Department of Housing and Urban 
Development. State agency partners include: the North Carolina Departments of Commerce, 

Information Technology, Administration, Agriculture and Consumer Services, Transportation, 

Health and Human Services, Environmental Quality, and Natural and Cultural Resources. The 

North Carolina ARC Program also relies heavily on partnerships with various non-profits 

including, but not limited to: the North Carolina Rural Center, the Cherokee Preservation 

Foundation, the Western North Carolina Community Foundation, the Conservation Fund, the 

Golden Leaf Foundation, and the Dogwood Health Trust.

Economic Challenges

The Appalachian region of Western North Carolina faces many economic challenges. The 

ARC program will work with our partners and grantees to continue to overcome these 

challenges which include:

Building a Skilled Workforce

The lack of a skilled workforce to meet the needs of a global, advanced manufacturing 

economy remains a challenge in addressing the region’s higher unemployment rates. The 

region’s workforce is aging faster, has lower educational attainment and higher 

unemployment rates than the rest of the state. The COVID-19 crisis has underlined the need 

for a more diversified workforce to support the needs of the region.

Sustaining Adequate Infrastructure

Outdated and scarce infrastructure continues to be problematic and impedes the region’s 

ability to retain and grow viable business and industry sectors. Infrastructure requires 

continual investments, and many communities have financial difficulty in maintaining and 

improving systems to meet state requirements and economic development goals.

Water and Sewer

There is still a need for updated water and sewer infrastructure as old systems age out and as 

communities seek investments in capacity expansions to respond to shifting economic and 

community growth. Communities throughout the area are beginning to think more 

regionally when planning these types of infrastructure projects. State, federal, and non-profit 

grant funders must work together to help develop and fund quality infrastructure systems.

Broadband

Access to broadband is necessary for economic development, education, healthcare, and the 

provision of government services. Yet affordable broadband access is lacking in many 

communities in Western North Carolina. The viability and livability of the region depends on 

access to high-speed internet services. The COVID-19 crisis has underlined the lack of access 

to this critical infrastructure for education, business development, job creation, and health 

care services.

Expanding Local Leadership Capacity

Many of the region’s communities do not have the capacity or leadership skills needed to 

engage their residents, businesses, and organizations, or to identify the resources and 

opportunities necessary to develop viable economic development strategies to move their 

communities forward. ARC’s work with partners across the region has shown that 

communities need access to targeted educational programming, community-level 
engagement, and focused guidance to implement strategic plans. Supporting enhanced 

local capacity will ensure communities in the region have the foundation to succeed.

Building and Supporting a Skilled and Healthy Workforce

According to a 2017 study conducted by the Appalachian Regional Commission, the average 

resident in Appalachia feels unhealthy twelve (12) more days per year – both physically and 

mentally – than the average American. This correlates with work absences, lower worker 

productivity, and work injuries. Additionally, contributing factors such as the lack of access to 

affordable healthcare and mental health services as well as the struggle with chronic health 

issues like diabetes, heart disease, and substance abuse, have had a negative impact on the 

region’s workforce. The connection between health of the population and workforce is clear.

Bolstering the Tourism Economy

Tourism is a significant component of Western North Carolina's economy. Communities will 

need resources and assistance to recover lost revenue, attract and retain new visitors, and 

establish strategies to provide better paying jobs within the tourism sector.

Distressed Counties and Areas

ARC recognizes that there are counties and areas within Appalachia characterized by high 

poverty or low-income levels to such an extent as compared to national averages that these 

areas should be considered severely and persistently distressed. NC ARC partners are 

encouraged to focus investments and programs on objectives which address persistently 

distressed counties and areas.

Economic Opportunities

The Appalachian region of Western North Carolina is rich in natural resources and talented 

people, where a strong heritage of outdoor recreation, music, and craft making continues to 

thrive. The mountain region of the state draws in thousands of tourists to dine on local food in 

award winning restaurants, take scenic drives along the Blue Ridge Parkway, raft on swift 

whitewater rivers, camp in the national forests, and fish for fresh mountain trout and 

smallmouth bass. Advances in manufacturing, in both textiles and furniture, are on the 

rebound in providing job opportunities and economic growth.

Emerging economic opportunities exist in the following areas:

Building Adequate Infrastructure

Telecommunications

Continuing to expand the reach of cell service and broadband capabilities to all Western 

North Carolina rural communities will increase educational and workforce training 

opportunities and encourage business and industry development. The COVID-19 pandemic 

has only further highlighted the economic development potential that increased access to 

affordable broadband and other telecommunication technologies will provide.

Roads and Highways

Building and maintaining the region’s transportation infrastructure will provide safer, more 

efficient, and less costly commercial commodity transport, quicker commutes to jobs, better 

community connectivity, and better access to healthcare services.
Increasing the Manufacturing Base

Western North Carolina has a strong craft tradition, and these skills provide opportunities in 

both the region’s returning textile industry and growing advanced manufacturing sectors –

particularly in the aerospace and aviation, biotechnology and pharmaceutical, and the green 

and sustainable energy sectors.

Workforce Development

Economic opportunity is dependent on a highly skilled workforce and Western North 

Carolina proudly boasts sixteen community colleges, eight private colleges, and five public 

colleges and universities. With a strong network of accessible and customized educational 

training programs in Western North Carolina, students and adults returning for further 

education have access to the resources they need to compete in emerging business and 

industry opportunities. In July of 2018, Governor Cooper created the Finish Line Grant 

program, which allows community college students to be able to complete their education 

when an unforeseen financial emergency occurs. This program has supported over 5,400

students statewide and provided over $4.7 million in assistance. 

Collaborating with partners in the region to develop a robust “Recovery to Work” ecosystem is 

an important component of workforce development efforts and provides vital resources to 

individuals struggling with substance use disorder. Recovery ecosystems are networks of 

organizations that are designed to help individuals in substance abuse recovery access a 

diverse array of support services and training needed to maintain recovery and successfully 

obtain employment. This could be a critical solution to workforce availability concerns at a 

time when many businesses are having trouble filling positions.

Tourism

Much of the region’s economy is built on revenues generated from tourist spending and this 

sector offers excellent opportunities for Western North Carolina to continue to develop new 

attractions, services, and venues to draw visitors into its rural communities. Outdoor 

recreation is a growing component of this sector and its popularity continued to increase 

since the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, the developing outdoor recreation economy in 

the region offers opportunities in related industries such as manufacturing, facility 

development, and hospitality training.

Entrepreneurship

Establishing and supporting vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystems is vital for communities to 

foster small business development, particularly in essential services and high growth 

potential sectors. According to research by the North Carolina Rural Center, small business 

and entrepreneurship is a major component of North Carolina’s economy with 95% of all 

business entities maintaining less than 50 employees. These firms account for 44% of all 

employment within the state. Continued efforts to promote entrepreneurship as an 

economic development strategy and to invest in local initiatives are needed.

Rural Community Capacity Building

Governor Cooper has made rural North Carolina a top priority and in 2018, he launched the 

Hometown STRONG initiative to leverage local, state, and federal resources to support the 

needs of local communities. The Hometown STRONG initiative provides counties with direct 

access to state government leaders who work in tandem with local leaders to identify local 
priorities and work to implement focused projects that boost the economy, improve 

infrastructure, and strengthen these communities. The state is focused on supporting local 

priorities and leveraging resources to assist with project implementation.

Recovery and Resiliency

In January 2021, the NC Department of Commerce’s Rural Planning Program launched the 

Community Economic Recovery and Resiliency Initiative (CERRI) to help communities, with 

populations under 5,000, recover from the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and 

build resilient local economies. The initiative provides communities with a planning process 

to develop local economic recovery and resiliency strategies and technical services to 

implement them. Communities in four of North Carolina’s ARC counties are currently 

participating in the program – Caldwell, Cherokee, Madison, and Yadkin.

ARC Focus for North Carolina

Governor Cooper will engage the resources provided by the ARC to attract more jobs, 

improve higher educational attainment rates, and support investments that improve the 

region’s health status. The state will utilize ARC resources to provide technical assistance and 

when appropriate financial investments in the 31 ARC counties, with a special emphasis on 

those areas of persistent and severe economic distress.

Governor Cooper will utilize ARC resources to support the region’s ability to respond to the 

challenges of the 21st century workplace and keep pace with advances in technology. ARC 

investments in NC will be used to enhance economic opportunity in the region. The Governor 

believes that economic development requires leadership, planning, and action. Therefore, it is 

critical for communities in the region to have access to ARC resources that will allow them to 

prepare for and then compete for economic development. All ARC investments in NC will 

assist communities moving towards economic success and support efforts to create more 

equity across the region.

The NC ARC Program will also support the implementation of the First in Talent: Strategic 

Economic Development Plan for North Carolina. In July of 2021, the North Carolina 

Department of Commerce released the Economic Development Strategic Plan for the State 

of North Carolina. The plan, titled First in Talent, recognizes that investing in North Carolina’s 

workforce is the key to building a more prosperous and resilient economy for all North 

Carolinians.

The plan highlights three key goals critical to the state’s economic development strategy:

• Prepare North Carolina’s workforce for career and entrepreneurial success.

• Prepare North Carolina’s businesses for success by growing and attracting a talented 

workforce.

• Prepare communities across North Carolina to be more competitive in growing and 

attracting a talented workforce and businesses.

The NC ARC program will support the implementation of the plan by focusing on the 

following Investment Priorities:

• Projects that enhance long-term infrastructure commitments that allow for 

commerce and creation and retention of jobs,
• Enrichment of partnerships between local industries, k-12 schools, and community 

colleges to expand and enhance workforce development opportunities to ensure a 

pipeline of skilled workers in the region,

• Efforts that support local school systems’ ability to enhance STEAM and STEM 

education opportunities, as well as project-based learning and creative thinking skills 

development,

• Projects that spur economic activity in the health care sector and improve the quality 

of health care services in rural communities throughout the region; while supporting 

local efforts to tackle health care challenges, specifically the growing opioid crisis, and;

• Encourage project design and development to specifically target Distressed Counties 

and Areas that will help improve economic conditions.

• Support the strategic deployment of digital infrastructure that promotes conditions 

that allow firms to effectively conduct business and individuals to access educational 

opportunities, particularly in the wake of COVID-19.

NC ARC Investment Opportunities (Project Types) Overview

Governor Cooper is focused on ensuring that all North Carolinians are better educated, 

healthier and have more money in their pockets. The Governor will utilize ARC resources to 

make investments in projects throughout the region that will enable communities and the 

region to ensure they are prepared and ready to compete for economic development.

Governor Cooper will utilize the resources provided by the ARC to make focused investments 

that will further support the region’s ability to be prepared and compete for economic 

development.

The following are examples of types of projects Governor Cooper would like to support with 

ARC resources. (Examples are listed by ARC Strategic Investment Goals.)

Investment Goal 1 – Building Appalachian Businesses

Strengthen and diversify the Region’s economy through inclusive economic development 

strategies and investments in entrepreneurship and business development.

Examples of potential projects include shared-use kitchens, co-package plants, small 

business incubators, regional agriculture markets, community loan funds, industry cluster 

development, small business plan competitions, and small business training programs.

NC Investment Highlight
The Manufacturing Solutions Center (MSC), an extension of Catawba Valley Community 

College (CVCC), was established to help US manufacturers increase sales, improve quality, 

and increase efficiency to assist in 

the creation or retention of jobs in 

the manufacturing sector. MSC 

recently expanded their facility to 

allow for the testing and prototyping 

of fibers and fabrics needed to 

produce Personal Protective 

Equipment (PPE), along with other 

needed products in the wake of

COVID-19 and the efforts to re-shore 

American textile production. This is 

an additional resource added to the 

organization’s services that allow the 

MSC to assist businesses in testing, 

prototyping, and product 

development utilizing state-of-theart technologies to improve

advanced manufacturing

throughout the NC ARC region.

Investment Goal 2 – Building Appalachia’s Workforce Ecosystem

Expand and strengthen community systems (education, healthcare, housing, childcare, and 

others) that help Appalachians obtain a job, stay on the job, and advance along a financially 

sustaining career pathway.

Examples of potential projects include STEM and STEAM Education programs, career 

pathway program development, health care training programs, rural health care clinics, 

college access programs, employment supports, and workforce development programs.

NC Investment Highlight

The Mediation and Restorative Justice Center initiated the Watauga Healthy Workforce & 

Recovery Ecosystem project. This Watauga County program will implement a recoveryfriendly workplace initiative, continue recovery-to-work efforts with regional and local 

partners, engage in the effort to establish supportive and transitional housing in the High 

Country, and facilitate the implementation of the Watauga Community Justice Coalition's 

action plan. Partners in this initiative include Wilkes Recovery Revolution, AppHealthCare,

and the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce, which will help serve as connectors to resources 

and employment for individuals with substance use disorder. The program intends to serve 15 

businesses, 75 workers/trainees, and 60 other participants.

 

Investment Goal 3 – Building Appalachia’s Infrastructure

Ensure that the residents and businesses of Appalachia have access to reliable and affordable 

utilities and infrastructure in order to successfully live and work in the Region.

A Manufacturing Solutions Center employee explains the new 

equipment used to develop and test Personal Protective 

Equipment and other innovative products. 
Examples of potential projects include downtown Wi-Fi, broadband fiber deployment, access 

roads, water and sewer projects that result in job creation and/or retention, industrial site 

development, and transportation planning.

NC Investment Highlight

ARC is providing assistance to the Town of Burnsville to extend water and sewer lines to the 

Micaville Industrial Site in Yancey County. This critical infrastructure will support the 

development of a hydroponic agricultural entity that will create a proposed 100 jobs and

contribute substantial private investment into the county. The project will install 11,000 linear 

feet of 12-inch ductile iron water line and 440 linear feet of 8-inch sewer line to connect to 

existing infrastructure near the proposed site. This infrastructure expansion will also position 

the county to market the remainder of the industrial park for additional business 

development. 

Investment Goal 4 – Building Regional Culture and Tourism

Strengthen Appalachia’s community and economic development potential by preserving 

and investing in the Region’s local, cultural heritage, and natural assets.

Examples of potential projects include local food and farm programs, downtown streetscape 

projects, downtown revitalization, regional craft and art trails, tourism development, 

establishment of gateway community programs, regional tourism development, and outdoor 

recreation economy planning and development.

NC Investment Highlight

ARC Community Economic Development 

Planners are facilitating economic 

development strategic planning focused on 

leveraging outdoor recreation to bolster 

local economic vitality. Strategy 

development focuses on utilizing the 

unique natural assets and recreational 

opportunities in a community to increase 

tourism, encourage small business 

development, enhance quality of life for 

residents, plan for asset and infrastructure 

development, and position communities to 

grow and attract outdoor gear 

manufacturing industries. In several 

communities across the region, this work is 

collaborating with and complimenting 

economic development activities 

undertaken by the Made x Mountains Partnership as part of an ARC POWER Initiative grant. 

This process has helped communities foster broad stakeholder engagement to increase local 

capacity and intentionally examine how outdoor recreation can promote economic 

opportunity, while preserving and maintaining natural assets. 

Local stakeholders in Jackson County, NC examine 

a map and discuss strategies to leverage outdoor 

recreation to increase economic opportunity.
Investment Goal 5 – Building Community Leaders and Capacity

Invest in the capacity of local leaders, organizations, and communities to address local 

challenges by providing technical assistance and support to access resources, engage 

partners, identify strategies and tactics, and conduct effective planning and project 

execution.

Examples of potential projects include regional planning projects, community economic 

development planning, local leadership development training, youth leadership 

development, and community engagement programs.

NC Investment Highlight

ARC has initiated a new program, READY 

Appalachia, to help build community 

capacity by offering training and flexible 

funding to organizations in four key 

economic development pillars: nonprofits, 

community foundations, local governments, 

and Local Development Districts. As part of 

this program, READY Appalachia awarded 

$25,000 each to three NC non-profits: Dig In! 

Yancey Community Garden, RiverLink, Inc., 

and Haywood Christian Ministry, Inc. Prior to 

accessing this funding each organization 

participated in 10 weeks of intensive courses 

covering board development, financial 

management, fundraising, employee 

recruitment and retention, marketing 

communications, and programs and 

operations. The technical assistance and 

funding will strengthen these organizations 

and help them better serve their 

communities.

State Program Operating Policies

In North Carolina, the level of ARC funds requested may not exceed 50% of the total project 

cost; except: 

1. In designated at-risk and distressed counties where the state determines the project 

is not feasible without the injection of a higher percentage of Appalachian dollars; and 

2. In multijurisdictional projects that meet requirements set out in the Appalachian 

Regional Development Reform Act of 1998, which generally involve the participation 

of distressed counties. 

The level of ARC funds requested for projects in designated competitive counties may not 

exceed 30% of the total project cost unless the applicant provides adequate justification to 

Dig In! Yancey Community Garden grows and 

shares produce from their gardens so that

neighbors have access to fresh produce that is 

reliable and of the highest quality to increase food 

security. Photo credit: Dig In! Yancey Community 

d
meet exceptions in the ARC Code. Projects involving designated attainment counties must 

be multi-county in scope and meet the stringent criteria defined in the 1998 law.

Proposals for the following activities are not eligible: construction of schools, libraries, 

government offices, hospitals, community centers, social services facilities, law enforcement 

facilities, or day-use recreational facilities. However, the ARC program will consider the jobs 

created by these and other facilities as part of the justification for water and wastewater 

projects. Generally, funding is not available to cultural facilities and activities. However, 

activities related to sustainable development initiatives may be considered where the jobs 

and wealth resulting from those activities can be documented and are equivalent to the 

performance measures generated by more traditional economic development and 

entrepreneurial activities.

The state will work with the LDDs, local governments, and basic agencies to continue efforts 

to obligate the State’s ARC allocation in a timely manner and to achieve dual objectives of 

better serving applicants and more efficiently initiating ARC’s investments in North Carolina.

General Information

• All application materials will be published on-line at www.nccommerce.com/rd/arc.

• Higher priority is given to projects that are deemed ready to proceed. To meet this 

requirement, the applicant should have all other funding for the project committed.

• Both the worth of the individual project in achieving the State’s objectives and the 

level of assistance are determined on a case-by-case basis.

Initial screening of proposals focuses on the following elements:

• Feasibility of the project approach;

• Eligibility under ARC Code and Appalachian Act;

• Consistency with State and Commission goals and strategies;

• Economic impact within the context of the region and the area to be served;

• ARC assistance is the source of last resort. As such, projects may only use ARC funds 

where there is no other source of funding and/or where Commission money will make 

a project feasible;

• Project applications must include measurable outputs and outcomes that are 

consistent with federal performance measurement requirements;

• Individuals and for-profit enterprises are not eligible for direct grant assistance; but 

may benefit from, and be served by, the investment of ARC funds.

Special provisions related to operating projects:

• ARC funding for operating projects normally will be limited to start-up costs and two 

years of operation (three years of assistance);

• No project will be guaranteed more than one year of support and applicants are 

advised that projects requesting multiple year funding generally will not be given a 

high priority;

• Any project requesting start-up funds should be prepared to identify the sources that 

will underwrite the costs after the first year of ARC support;
• Generally, continuation projects (those operating in multiple years with no appreciable 

changes in project design or scope) should reduce the level of ARC support by 10% of 

the amount of their previous grant or show other efforts to enhance the program 

attaining self-sufficiency;

• Operating projects also will be encouraged to propose an 18-month initial project 

period. Since most projects need this additional time to meet unexpected start up 

delays, the proposed longer performance period should help avoid the need to extend 

project periods to meet the first year’s objectives;

• Any project seeking continuation funding (a second or third application for assistance) 

will need to initiate discussions with the State’s ARC office at least a month in advance 

of the application submission deadline in order to determine if an application will be 

considered. Prior to seeking continuation consideration, the project sponsors should 

compile information documenting satisfactory performance in meeting the accepted 

output and outcome measures to support the request for continued assistance.

Decisions to consider projects for Appalachian funding are based on summary information 

that provides enough detail to enable the State ARC office to determine the proposal’s 

eligibility. Construction projects should have preliminary commitment of jobs and a 

preliminary engineering report prior to requesting consideration. Construction projects also 

must obtain the review and approval of another federal grant-financing agency, and any ARC 

funding consideration is contingent upon obtaining the participation of another federal 

agency.

Funding and Match Guidance

The state has set a general guideline that ARC assistance will not exceed $1,000,000 for 

construction projects and $300,000 for non-construction projects. Funding will constitute no 

more than 50% of the total project cost. However, special consideration will be given to 

infrastructure projects in distressed and at-risk counties. Selected projects may request up to 

$1,500,000 in ARC funding. Special consideration may also be given to non-construction 

projects with an emphasis on workforce development and education with an allowable 

funding amount up to $500,000. The level of ARC funds requested for projects in designated 

competitive counties may not exceed 30% of the project cost unless justification is provided 

to meet exceptions in the ARC Code.

To comply with Congressional instructions, the matching requirements in multicounty 

projects will vary, depending on the designated economic status of the counties involved. 

Multicounty projects serving fewer than the 31 counties will be computed based on the 

average of the eligible financing level for the counties involved.

Cost overruns and significant changes of project scope on previously approved ARC projects 

generally will not be considered for funding. Changes required by design modifications or 

changes that will generate additional jobs will constitute rationales for consideration of 

overrun requests.

ARC funds cannot supplant or diminish the level of other funds (federal, state, or local) going 

into the Appalachian region or the project area. ARC funds cannot replace other funds to 

continue a project, nor may ARC funds be used to allow the diversion of existing resources to 

other purposes or to reduce the amount of bonds to be sold to finance local improvements.
This application process will allow the Program to continue to be responsive to local needs 

while ensuring timely obligation of ARC funds.

Applicants are encouraged to work closely with other agencies involved in their project to 

meet the cut-off dates. Proposals involving construction should be especially aware of the 

time constraints and applicants should alert their engineers to strictly observe these time 

deadlines.

Timing Considerations

The ARC Program will publish application forms on the Program’s website: 

https://www.nccommerce.com/about-us/divisions-programs/rural-economicdevelopment/appalachian-regional-commission#documents

This application process will allow the Program to continue to be responsive to local needs 

while ensuring timely obligation of ARC funds.

Applicants are encouraged to work closely with other agencies involved in their project to 

meet the cut-off dates. Proposals involving construction should be especially aware of the 

time constraints and applicants should alert their engineers to strictly observe these time 

deadlines.