Appalachian Region Commission
The Appalachian Region Commission (ARC) is a funding program that assist public and public non-profit organizations with funding for community and economic development. Projects that can be funded include planning, economic studies, education, health care, alternative energy and infrastructure primarily related to the support of economic development. Examples of such projects are water and sewer improvements, industrial parks, multi-tenant facilities and industrial access roads.
Commission Seeking Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) Projects
The North Central Commission is currently accepting Project Summaries for potential grant funding awarded by the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC). These grants are available to state and local governmental agencies and nonprofit organizations. Any potential projects will need to demonstrate elements of economic development in the Counties of Cameron,Clearfield, Elk, Jefferson, McKean or Potter county’s such as job creation, financial savings, increased capacity, infrastructure enhancements, access roads, etc. These grants are awarded annually and can be instrumental in helping to drive a project toward its completion.
Typical ARC Funding Timeline
- June: 2-page Project Profiles must be completed and submitted to North Central
- July: Projects Prioritized by North Central and submitted to ARC-Harrisburg
- December: Applicant is notified if they must submit a “full application”
- January: Full Applications are due
- February-June: Projects are reviewed locally, in Harrisburg and finally submitted to Washington D.C. for Final Approval
- September: Final Funding Approval
General Potential ARC applicants should be aware that all projects must:
- Implement a specific strategy for addressing one of the four (4) goals in ARC’s Strategic Plan
- Demonstrate consistency with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s ARC Strategy Statement
- Demonstrate consistency with the North Central’s Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS)
- Funding is generally limited to 50% of eligible project costs
- ARC Access road projects may be funded up to 100% and must be coordinated through the North Central Rural Transportation Planning Organization (RPO) and PennDOT
The entire process typically takes up to 18 months and potential applicants should keep this in mind when seeking funding.
ARC Application Documents
| Category | Document | File |
|---|---|---|
| Plans | ARC Strategic Plan FY22-26 | LINK |
| Plans | PA ARC State Plan | |
| Guidelines | PA ARC Strategy Statement FY20 | |
| Pre-Application | Project Intake Form | LINK |
| Pre-Application | ARC Project Summary | WORD |
| Pre-Application | ARC Supplemental Questionnaire (Construction & Infrastructure) | WORD |
| Pre-Application | RSBA Request Form (Construction) | WORD |
| Full Application | Full Application Template (Non-Construction) | WORD |
| Full Application | Full Application Template (Construction) | WORD |
| Information | ARC Forms and Information | LINKS |
Please contact Sherry Dumire with any questions you may have. (814) 773-3162 ext. 3052