Approximately $25 million will be competitively awarded through POWER 2022 funding in Appalachia.
The Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) has released 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.
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.
How to Apply
Application guidance and requirements are outlined in the Request for Proposals: Read the RFP
Important Dates
- February 22, 2022: POWER 2021 Application Portal Opens
- March 10, 2022: Virtual application workshop: Register here.
- April 4, 2022 5:00pm (ET): Letter of Intent Submission deadline
- April 29, 2022, 5:00pm (ET): Final Applications deadline (Submit through POWER Portal)
For more information about the ARC POWER Initiative visit www.arc.gov/power or contact Kathy Zook at kzook@eastgatecog.org or 234.254.1518.