The New York Department of State has announced the availability of up to $65 million in grants for coal-impacted communities throughout the state, including the Southern Tier and Western New York regions. The Appalachian Region Commission (ARC) is making the funding available through a Request for Proposals (RFP) for its POWER Initiative, aimed at helping communities that have been affected by job losses in the coal industry to adapt and better prepare for future economic growth.
The initiative, known as the Partnerships for Opportunity and Workforce and Economic Revitalization Initiative, provides federal resources to encourage entrepreneurship, workforce development efforts, and infrastructure projects to bolster job training, reemployment opportunities, and attract new sources of private investment in coal-impacted communities. The ARC has so far invested $5.5 million into nine projects across the state’s Southern Tier and Western New York regions, including improvements to broadband connectivity and job preparation in entrepreneurship, broadband, tourism, and other sectors.
Eligible applicants for the ARC’s POWER Initiative include local development districts, Indian tribes or a consortium of Indian tribes, states, counties, cities or other political subdivisions, institutions of higher education or a consortium of such institutions, and public or private nonprofit organizations or associations.
Letters of Intent for implementation grants up to $1.5 million and planning grants up to $50,000 under POWER are due by March 8, 2023, with final applications due by April 19, 2023. Award announcements are expected to be made in the fall of 2023. Additional information regarding the application process is available at www.arc.gov/power.
Applications should demonstrate the ability to produce diverse economic development outcomes, including diversifying commercial and industrial bases of local and regional economies, creating well-paying jobs in new or emerging industries, expanding workforce service and skills training, and attracting new sources of public and private investment.
New York Secretary of State Robert J. Rodriguez said the funding will help communities adapt and better prepare for the economy of tomorrow. Eligible New York counties include Allegany, Broome, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Chemung, Chenango, Cortland, Delaware, Otsego, Schoharie, Schuyler, Steuben, Tioga, and Tompkins.
The ARC is hosting a virtual pre-application workshop on Tuesday, February 21, 2023, for prospective participants and three in-person pre-application workshops. ARC staff will provide key points in the RFP and outline the characteristics of a successful application, and attendees can ask questions during an interactive Q&A session. Registration is available at https://www.arc.gov/event/getting-the-grant-successfully-applying-for-arc-funding-opportunities/.
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