Appalachian Regional Commission announces new round of grant opportunities
The solicitation is for the Partnerships for Opportunity and Workforce and Economic Revitalization (POWER) Initiative.
The Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) issued a notice of solicitation of applications (NOSA) for its Partnerships for Opportunity and Workforce and Economic Revitalization (POWER) Initiative. POWER offers federal grant funding for projects that help Appalachian coal communities expand local and regional economies by creating high-quality, in-demand jobs, attracting new sources of private investment, and providing comprehensive workforce services and skills training.
Since its creation 10 years ago, ARC’s collective POWER investments are projected to have created or retained nearly 54,000 jobs and prepared nearly 170,000 workers and students for new opportunities in advanced manufacturing, entrepreneurship, tourism, agriculture, and other growing industries.
“ARC’s POWER Initiative helps strengthen Appalachia’s coal communities while giving residents a say in the course of their own futures,” said ARC Federal Co-Chair Gayle Manchin. “These communities have long been critical economic drivers for both our region and the entire country, and ARC believes in their ability to catalyze new development that will take them into the next generation of Appalachian prosperity.”
Successful POWER projects will demonstrate the ability to produce varied economic development outcomes, including broadening local and regional economic bases, creating stable employment opportunities, expanding workforce service and skills training, and attracting new sources of public and private investment. POWER projects can also entail plans to integrate activities with existing economic development strategies or to help implement these strategies on a local, regional or federal level.
Key dates for the fiscal year (FY) 2025 POWER application process include:
- August 21, 2025 (10 a.m. EDT): Pre-application webinar.
- September 12, 2025 (5 p.m. EDT): Mandatory letters of intent (LOI) due.
- October 22, 2025 (5 p.m. EDT): Grant applications due
- May 2026: Awards announced
Since POWER was established, ARC has invested $485 million in 564 projects to help revitalize 365 Appalachian counties.
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