Appalachian Regional Commission

ARC is seeking proposals to evaluate the impact of its business site development grants. Answers to submitted RFP questions are now available! bit.ly/3QIWnBB 📅 Contract: Oct 1, 2026–Sept 30, 2027 ⏱️ Proposals due: July 10, 2026, 5pm ET

We’re now accepting applications for READY Local Governments! This virtual training program helps Appalachian local government officials build federal grant management skills. Interested? Register for our July 9 webinar and apply by July 31: arc.gov/ready/localgovs

Applications are open now for the Workforce Opportunity for Rural Communities (WORC) Initiative. WORC supports community-led projects that strengthen local economies, meet employer needs and help residents access family‑sustaining jobs. Apply by July 23. arc.gov/grants-and-opp…

Today, we marked the graduation of the 2025–2026 class of the Appalachian Leadership Institute. These 40 fellows spent eight months learning new skills to use economic development as a tool for positive change in their communities: bit.ly/4eCQyPC

ARC is seeking contractors for: 🏗️ Evaluation of ARC Business Development Site Grants 💵 Assessing the Economic Effects of ARC Investments in Appalachia 🚚 Improving Prioritization Methods & Metrics for Rural Appalachian Highways Learn more bit.ly/3QIWnBB

Great discussions are happening on the final day of Appalachia Builds! Attendees are exchanging ideas on attracting & retaining business, workforce pipelines, infrastructure and more. Thanks to everyone who joined us in Mississippi this week.

Appalachia Builds is off to a strong start! We’ve heard from our Federal Co-Chair Gayle Manchin, Gov. @tatereeves & @msstate president & more. Now, attendees are in breakout sessions learning about economic development strategies that are strengthening the region.

Ahead of Appalachia Builds, representatives of Appalachia’s 13 states & ARC's Federal Co-Chair Gayle Manchin met to discuss our investments in the region. Thank you to Governor @tatereeves and all of our state partners for convening with us in Mississippi!

We’re ready to welcome federal, state & local partners to Mississippi for our 2026 annual conference, Appalachia Builds: Breaking New Ground for Economic Growth! Thank you to our 2026 States' Co-Chair Governor @tatereeves & @mdaworks for being our co-hosts.

Contract opportunity! ARC is seeking a qualified consultant to study economic benefit concepts and actionable strategies that will help state Departments of Transportation complete the Appalachian Development Highway System. Proposals are due June 25: bit.ly/4wum0q6

Applications for the Appalachian Leadership Institute are due June 1. This eight-month program helps participants build economic development skill and strengthen their communities. Learn more and apply: arc.gov/academies-and-…

Required letters of intent (LOI) to apply for INSPIRE funding are due TOMORROW, May 12, at 5:00 p.m. ET. INSPIRE funds projects that help Appalachians in recovery from substance use disorder get and keep jobs. 🌟 Submit LOIs here: bit.ly/3Sdxts4

Coal communities: Economic development funding is available through our POWER Initiative. Interested in applying? Watch our pre-application video and submit your Letter of Intent to apply by May 22. arc.gov/grants-and-opp…

Coal communities can apply for FY 2026 economic development funding through our POWER Initiative. Potential applicants can watch a pre-application video about key requirements and more: bit.ly/4ndxdY2 ⚡

Interested in recovery-to-work funding? 🌟 Letters of Intent (LOI) to apply are due May 12! Submitting an LOI is required to apply for INSPIRE, which funds projects that that help Appalachians in recovery from substance use disorder get and keep jobs: bit.ly/3Sdxts4

ARC is seeking a qualified research consultant to assess the differences in economic outcomes between similar Appalachian & non-Appalachian counties (AKA “twin counties”), & how those differences are associate with ARC investments. Proposals due 6/16! arc.gov/contract-oppor…

Applications for our Appalachian Leadership Institute are open now. Apply by 6/1! The 40 selected participants will attend six in-person sessions to build skills for local economic growth: arc.gov/academies-and-…

Calling all Appalachian organizations seeking funding for recovery-to-work projects! Our INSPIRE Initiative is accepting applications🌟 Watch this pre-application webinar youtube.com/watch?v=nAVsjl… Then, register for a Q&A with ARC staff on 4/29 arcgov.zoom.us/webinar/regist…

Applications are open for our Investments Supporting Partnerships in Recovery Ecosystems (INSPIRE) Initiative! 🌟 INSPIRE projects address the economic impacts of substance use disorder in Appalachia. Learn about application requirements here: arc.gov/grants-and-opp…

Applications are now open for the eighth class of ARC's Appalachian Leadership Institute. Six multi-day economic development seminars will take place across the region from October '26 to June '27. Appy by June 1: arc.gov/leadership