PDCED: Appalachian Regional Commission Grant

Funder: Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development

The PDCED Appalachian Regional Commission Grant supports economic development in Pennsylvania's Appalachian Region. It funds projects that enhance job creation, improve infrastructure, and promote business development. The goal is to leverage federal, state, and local resources to strengthen the economy of this 205,000-square-mile area. Funding is prioritized for initiatives that lead to sustainable economic growth, workforce readiness, and improved community capacity. Eligible projects include technical assistance, infrastructure development, and local government support.

The Appalachian Region, as defined in ARC’s authorizing legislation, is a 205,000-square-mile region that follows the spine of the Appalachian Mountains from southern New York to northern Mississippi. It includes all of West Virginia and parts of 12 other states: Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, Maryland, Mississippi, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia.
Each year in Pennsylvania, ARC provides funding for numerous projects in the Appalachian Region in a wide range of program areas. The projects funded in the program areas create thousands of new jobs, improve local water and sewer systems, increase school readiness, expand access to health care, assist local communities with strategic planning and provide technical and managerial assistance to emerging businesses.
Uses
The state will look favorably at projects where there are new business start-ups and job creation and at those projects that will enhance the community and economic vitality of the state. When approving a particular project, the state will also consider whether the project will improve, on a continuing rather than a temporary basis, the opportunities for employment and the average level of income or economic and social development of the area served by the project.
Funding
The Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) awards grants and contracts from funds appropriated to the Commission annually by Congress. ARC funds are leveraged with other federal, state and local money to provide a broad array of small business assistance to the Appalachian region. The priorities for investment of ARC resources are determined essentially to accomplish five long-term strategic goals for Pennsylvania’s economy:
GOAL 1: Economic OpportunitiesInvest in entrepreneurial and business development strategies that strengthen Appalachia’s economy.GOAL 2: Ready WorkforceIncrease the education, knowledge, skills, and health of residents to work and succeed in Appalachia.GOAL 3: Critical InfrastructureInvest in critical infrastructure—especially broadband; transportation (including the Appalachian Development Highway System); and water/wastewater systems.GOAL 4: Natural and Cultural AssetsStrengthen Appalachia’s community and economic development potential by leveraging the Region’s natural and cultural heritage assets.GOAL 5: Leadership and Community CapacityBuild the capacity and skills of current and next-generation leaders and organizations to innovate, collaborate, and advance community and economic development.

Eligibility

Technical assistance projects that:Provide services to a community or region to enhance business developmentMeet the criteria for immediate, permanent job creation/retention or strategic plan implementationConstruction and infrastructure development Including site preparation, water, sewer, broadband, or other needed improvements.Industrial site developmentLocal access road (only road construction-related activities)Local government assistance projects providing for service consolidation, management assistance or any other arrangements directed to more effective delivery of programs and services.Acquisition and development business incubator or multi-tenant facilitiesDestination or asset-based tourismNot-for-profit entities