Mark DeFalco, Telecommunications Initiative Manager for Regional Program Operations at the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC), at the MATRC Summit 2016, discussed how the “Partnerships for Opportunity and Workforce and Economic Revitalization” program referred to as the (POWER) initiative, recently made funding available to ARC and to the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA).
The POWER Initiative provides funding to help coal impacted communities in Appalachia deal with major changes in coal producing which has resulted in the need for federal resources to help these communities.
The projects and activities funded by both ARC and EDA will help create new businesses and jobs in a variety of industry sectors. These projects include but are not limited to advanced manufacturing, agriculture, energy, information technology, healthcare, advanced telemedicine applications for rural health clinics, and telecommunications.
ARC is making $45 million available for FY 2016 POWER project grants under the Appalachian Area Development Program and expects to make individual grant awards ranging between $500,000 to $1.5 million for each project awarded within the Congressionally-defined Appalachian Region. EDA is also making $19.6 million available for POWER project grants expected to range from $250,000 to $1.5 million.
Eligible applicants for ARC grants can include local development districts, Indian tribes, state, county, and city applicants, institutions of higher education, and public or private non-profit organizations or associations.
Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis. For more details go to www.arc.gov, to apply, go to www.arc.gov/power, or email power@arc.gov.