Kentucky Appalachian Regional Commission Funding (KY) Grant

Kentucky Appalachian Regional Commission Funding (KY) Grant

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: Kentucky Department for Local Government
Last Updated: September 17, 2025

Summary

The Kentucky Appalachian Regional Commission Funding program aims to enhance economic development in the eastern and southcentral regions of Kentucky. By providing financial assistance for public infrastructure, workforce development, and business initiatives, the program addresses historical economic disparities. Eligible projects include water and sewer expansions, broadband deployment, and leadership development. Local governments and non-profits in the targeted counties can apply, ensuring a focus on community-driven growth and sustainability.

Overview

NOTE: A pre-application must be received in order to be invited to submit a full application. See Pre proposal deadline above.Appalachian Regional Commission The ARC is a federal-state economic development program designed to assist in the economic development of Appalachia through a diversity of projects in the areas of public infrastructure (water, sewer, solid waste, housing, and telecommunications), human resource development (education/workforce development, affordable/accessible healthcare, and leadership development) and business/entrepreneurial development. Historically, the far eastern region of Kentucky has lagged behind the rest of the nation in terms of economic development. The ARC grant program provides the region with financial assistance in creating jobs, developing a workforce, and providing health care and education services. ARC Goals Goal 1: Economic Opportunities:Invest in entrepreneurial and business development strategies that strengthen Appalachia’s economy.Goal 2: Ready Workforce:Increase the education, knowledge, skills, and health of residents to work and succeed in Appalachia.Goal 3: Critical Infrastructure:Invest in critical infrastructure – especially broadband; transportation, including the Appalachian Development Highway System; and water/wastewater systems.Goal 4: Natural and Cultural Assets:Strengthen Appalachia’s community and economic development potential by leveraging the Region’s natural and cultural heritage assets.Goal 5: Leadership and Community Capacity:Build the capacity and skills of current and next-generation leaders and organizations to innovate, collaborate and advance community and economic development Project Examples Examples of eligible projects are: water/sewer line extension and treatment expansiontelecommunication/broadband deploymentlearning center developmenteducation/workforce development trainingindustrial site developmentasset-based development planning/activitiesleadership development/civic capacity building

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. Local governments, special districts, and non-profit entities that include Kentucky's 54 most eastern and southcentral Counties are eligible to apply for the grant dollars.Matching requirements are fifty percent (50%) for transitional counties, thirty percent (30%) for at-risk counties, and twenty percent (20%) for distressed counties. Federal Funds may not exceed 80 percent of the total project.​