On Tuesday October 17th, the Appalachian Regional Commission(ARC) awarded nearly $47 million to 52 projects in 181 counties through its POWER (Partnerships for Opportunity and Workforce and Economic Revitalization) Initiative, which directs federal resources to economic diversification projects in Appalachian communities affected by job losses in coal mining, coal power plant operations, and coal-related supply chain industries. This is the largest single POWER awards package to date since the initiative launched in 2015.
Two POWER projects awarded in the Eastgate district. Congratulations to YSU and the Western Reserve Port Authority:
- $1,154,880 grant to Youngstown State University (YSU) for the YSU Broadband and 5G Readiness Training Program. The project will train 165 students so they have the skills and knowledge needed to enter the broadband industry sector in Appalachian Ohio.
- $49,970 grant to the Western Reserve Port Authority for the Trumbull County Broadband Preliminary Engineering Study. The study will look at a proposed fiber optic loop designed to provide high-speed broadband service to four underserved communities in Trumbull County.
ARC Federal Co-Chair Gayle Manchin made the award announcement with ARC 2022 States’ Co-Chair Governor Larry Hogan of Maryland, Governor Tom Wolf of Pennsylvania, congressional representatives and grantees during a press conference at Frostburg State University in Frostburg, Maryland, in advance of ARC’s 2022 Annual Conference.
“Our coal-impacted communities are a vital part of Appalachia’s 13 states and 423 counties—when our coal communities thrive, our entire region is uplifted,” said ARC Federal Co-Chair Gayle Manchin. “This latest round of POWER grant funding will not only help struggling coal communities to once again compete in a global marketplace, but also expand support for the creation of new jobs through growing Appalachia’s food economy.”
Full article: https://www.arc.gov/news/power-2022-awards/