Administration Announces Implementation Funding for POWER Initiative; ARC to Provide $500,000 in Grants

WASHINGTON, May 11, 2015—The Obama administration announced today the availability of funding for implementation grants under the Partnerships for Opportunity and Workforce and Economic Revitalization (POWER) Initiative, a new multi-agency effort to assist communities and workers negatively impacted by changes in the coal industry and power sector. Up to $35.5 million in grants will be awarded from the U.S. Department of Commerce's Economic Development Administration (EDA), the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC), the U.S. Department of Labor's Employment and Training Administration (ETA), and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).

The implementation grants will help communities undertake coordinated economic and workforce development strategies developed through a region-wide planning process. Previously, EDA had announced the availability of $3 million in POWER Initiative planning assistance funds to help regions create strategic plans for economic and workforce development.

ARC Federal Co-Chair Earl F. Gohl underscored the POWER Initiative's importance as a creative economic development tool that invests in workers and jobs while addressing legacy costs in coal country. "ARC's goal is to help Appalachian communities diversify and strengthen their local economies by capitalizing on emerging opportunities," he said. "The POWER Initiative will help revitalize communities by creating conditions for economic growth."

The Partnerships for Opportunity and Workforce and Economic Revitalization Implementation Grants FFO (PDF: 10.8 MB) outlines the POWER Initiative's implementation grant priorities and evaluation factors, and provides guidance on applying for funding from each of the four participating agencies. Up to $12.5 million in funding is available from EDA; up to $20 million from ETA; up to $500,000 from ARC; and up to $2.5 million from the SBA. Applicants are encouraged to apply for funding from more than one agency where appropriate.

EDA will manage the overall competitive solicitation process; provide a point of contact for the selected partnerships; and coordinate cross-agency activities at the regional level that direct additional federal resources to affected communities. Grant selection, awards, and execution will be managed by each participating agency, with EDA playing a coordinating role.

Application submission deadlines vary by participating agency. Applications for ARC and EDA funding must be received by July 10, 2015.

The POWER Initiative implementation grants FFO (PDF: 10.8 MB) and information on applying for ARC POWER implementation grants are available on the ARC Web site.