Area Development Program

Appalachian Regional Commission

Program Type:

Grant

Eligible Geography:

ARC Counties

Program URL:

https://www.arc.gov/area-development-program/

Summary:

ARC approval for a project requires a determination by the Commission that the project will make long-term improvements to the development of Appalachia, including increasing opportunities for employment, average income, or other community and economic development impacts.

ARC goals for Area Development-funded projects include 1) economic opportunities, 2) ready workforce, 3) critical infrastructure, 4) natural and cultural assets, and 5) leadership and community capacity. See the Area Development Program Guidelines for additional details.

Eligible Recipients:

Local Government

Eligible Recipients Detail:

Local Development Districts

Eligible Purpose:

Building Infrastructure; Anchor Institution Infrastructure; Last Mile Infrastructure; Middle Mile Infrastructure; General Infrastructure; Digital Skills Training

Eligible Purpose Detail:

Area Development Program funds can be used for a wide variety of purposes that benefit Appalachia but need to be included in the representing state's Annual Strategy Statement submitted to ARC.

Other Eligibility Criteria:

A project must implement the Development Plan of the Appalachian State in which it is located and it must have been identified by the state in its Annual Strategy Statement submitted to ARC.

Applications for ARC assistance are made through the state member of the Commission Appalachian representing the applicant and are submitted to the ARC Federal Co-Chairman for approval. Approval requires a certification by the state member and a determination by the Federal Co- Chairman that the project meets the requirements for assistance.

Funding Match/Terms:

Generally, ARC grants are limited to 50% of project costs.
-For projects in ARC-designated distressed counties, this limit can be raised to 80%.
-For projects in ARC-designated at-risk counties, this limit can be raised to 70%.
-For projects located in ARC-designated competitive counties (those that are approaching national economic norms), funding is usually limited to 30% of project costs.

Note/Additional Resources:

https://www.arc.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/ARCProjectGuidelines.pdf

Source:

https://broadbandusa.ntia.doc.gov/sites/default/files/bbusa_federalfunding_all_200511.pdf