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February 15, 2023 | Tom Ballard

POWER initiative helps coal-impacted communities

Applications are now being accepted for the latest round of funding that's deployed more than $368.1 million since 2015.

The Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) is now accepting applications for its “Partnerships for Opportunity and Workforce and Economic Revitalization (POWER) Initiative” to help diversify the economies of coal-impacted communities.

It’s the latest round of funding for the program that helps communities leverage entrepreneurship, workforce development, and infrastructure to bolster re-employment opportunities, create jobs in existing or new industries, and attract new sources of investment.

In the final quarter of 2022, ARC awarded more than $48.5 million for POWER projects. Since the launch of the initiative in 2015, ARC has invested more than $368.1 million in 449 projects touching 360 counties across Appalachia. Together, these investments are projected to create or retain nearly 40,000 jobs, leverage more than $1.57 billion in additional private investment into Appalachia’s economy, and prepare more than 100,000 workers and students for opportunities in entrepreneurship, broadband development, tourism, and other industry sectors.

Additional details can be found here, and ARC will be hosting an in-person briefing on the POWER initiative and two other programs on February 28 in Knoxville. Click here to register. Final POWER applications are due by 5:00 pm ET on April 19.


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