Appalachian Regional Initiative Grants - Due Aug. 31

Appalachian Regional Commission planning and implementation grants are available for large-scale, collaborative economic development projects. Applicants must contact program managers, submit a concept paper, and complete required registrations prior to submitting a full proposal.

Appalachian Regional Initiative for Stronger Economies (ARISE) is a new ARC initiative that aims to drive large-scale, regional economic transformation through multi-state collaborative projects across Appalachia. With the additional funding provided by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) of 2021 (also known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law or BIL), ARC launched ARISE to strengthen Appalachian business and industry, and to grow and support the development of new opportunities across multiple states.

All ARISE Initiative applications must address one or more of these goals:

• Building Appalachian Businesses: Strengthen and diversify the region’s economy through inclusive economic development strategies and investments in entrepreneurship and business development.

• Building Appalachia’s Workforce Ecosystem: Expand and strengthen community systems (education, healthcare, housing, childcare, and others) that help Appalachians obtain a job, stay on the job, and advance along a financially sustaining career pathway.

• Building Appalachia’s Infrastructure: Ensure that the residents and businesses of Appalachia have access to reliable, affordable, resilient, and energy-efficient utilities and infrastructure in order to successfully live and work in the Region.4. Building Regional Culture and Tourism: Strengthen Appalachia’s community and economic development potential by preserving and investing in the Region’s local cultural heritage and natural assets.5. Building Community Leaders and Capacity: Invest in the capacity of local leaders, organizations, and communities to address local challenges by providing technical assistance and support to access resources, engage partners, identify strategies and tactics, and conduct effective planning and project execution.

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