ARC commits $20M for new round of POWER grants

The Appalachian Regional Commission has released a request for proposals for the 2018 POWER (Partnerships for Opportunity and Workforce and Economic Revitalization) Program. In this round of funding, ARC will commit up to $20 million to support efforts that create a more vibrant economic future for coal-impacted communities in the ARC region by cultivating economic diversity, enhancing job training and re-employment opportunities, creating jobs in existing or new industries, and attracting new sources of investment.

In previous rounds of funding, ARC partnered with the Economic Development Administration (EDA) to award POWER grants. However, in 2017, EDA launched the Assistance to Coal Communities (ACC) program. While POWER targeted projected in ARC counties, the ACC program made awards to coal-impacted communities across the country in 2017.

To date, ARC has awarded $94 million through the POWER initiative to help coal-impacted communities in 250 Appalachian counties. The 114 investments are projected to create or retain almost 8,800 jobs, leverage an additional $210 million in investment, and prepare thousands of workers and students for careers in 21^st century industries.