Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC)

Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) is sponsored by Kentucky Department for Local Government. Federal-state program designed to assist in the economic development of Appalachia through a diversity of projects in the areas of public infrastructure, human resource development, and business/entrepreneurial development.

Appalachian Regional Commission - Kentucky Department for Local Government Appalachian Regional Commission Appalachian Regional Commission ​Kentucky ARC Area Development Program Kentucky ARC Area Development Program — Pre-Applications Open August 1, 2026 Pre-applications for Fiscal Year 2027 will be accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis, ​beginning on August 1, 2026.

Invitations for full applications are extended at the discretion of the governor and are subject to availability of funds. Pre-applications for Kentucky's Appalachian Regional Commission Area Development Program are being accepted here​ . Please review the Area Development Program Overview and FY27 Pre-Application instructions prior to submitting a pre-application.

​ ARC FY27 Pre-Application Instructions Kentucky Appalachian REgional Commission Area Development Program Overview ​ Appalachian Regional Commission What: The Appalachian Regional Commission is a federal-state economic development program designed to assist in the economic development of Appalachia through a diversity of projects in the areas of public infrastructure (water, sewer, solid waste, housing, and telecommunications), human resource development (education/workforce development, affordable/accessible healthcare, and leadership development) and business/entrepreneurial development.

Why: Historically, the far eastern region of Kentucky has lagged behind the rest of the nation in terms of economic development. The ARC grant program provides the region with financial assistance in creating jobs, developing a workforce, and providing health care and education services. Who Can Apply?

Local governments, special districts, and non-profit entities that include Kentucky's 54 most eastern and southcentral Counties are eligible to apply for the grant dollars. All ARC grants have a required cost share. Match requirements are fifty percent (50%) for transitional counties, thirty percent (30%) for at-risk counties, and twenty percent (20%) for distressed counties.

Federal Funds may not exceed 80 percent of the total project. Examples of eligible projects include water/sewer line extension and treatment expansion; telecommunication/broadband deployment; learning center development; education/workforce development training; industrial site development; asset-based development planning/activities; and leadership development/civic capacity building.

​ ARC POWER (Partnerships for Opportunity and Workforce and Economic Revitalization) - Applications now closed​ The Partnerships for Opportunity and Workforce and Economic Revitalization (POWER) Initiative​ targets federal resources to expand economic opportunities for coal communities.

POWER projects strengthen a variety of industries, including advanced manufacturing, entrepreneurship, healthcare, and workforce development, to bolster re-employment opportunities, create jobs in existing and new industries, and attract new sources of private investment in coal communities. This NOSA​ gives an overview of the ARC's POWER Initiative, and the requirements needed to complete a grant application for FY26 funding.

​ ARC INSPIRE Initiative: Applications ​- Applications now closed Investments Supporting Partnerships In Recovery Ecosystems (INSPIRE) is an initiative addressing the substance use disorder (SUD) crisis by creating or expanding a recovery ecosystem that will lead to workforce entry or re-entry.

Successful projects will support the post-treatment to employment continuum, which could include investments in healthcare networks that support substance abuse recovery professionals, recovery-focused job training programs, as well as initiatives that promote employer supports and recovery-ready workplaces.

This NOSA gives an overview of the ARC's INSPIRE Initiative, and the requirements for completing a grant application for FY26 funding.

​Full Application Forms for Construction Projects Application Template for ARC Construction Projects Performance Measure Guidance​ USDA RD Serving as Basic Agency Guidance ARC Attachment Checklist - Construction Projects ​Full Application Forms for Non-Construction Projects Application Template for ARC Non-Construction Projects Performance Measure Guidanc e ARC Attachment Checklist - Non-Construction Projects ​​ Appalachian Regional Commission INSPIRE Initiative The Investments Supporting Partnerships In Recovery Ecosystems (INSPIRE) is an initiative addressing the substance use disorder (SUD) crisis.

Appalachian Entrepreneurship Academy (AEA) ARC’s Appalachian Entrepreneurship Academy (AEA) prepares the next generation of entrepreneurial leaders and thinkers. Appalachian STEM Academy A residential, hands-on learning experience for Appalachia’s middle and high school students, as well as high school teachers in STEM-related fields.

Pathways User Resources - Appalachian Regional Commission All ARC grant activities are conducted through Pathways, ARC's grant management system. Use these opportunities and resources to learn how to successfully navigate this platform. ARC Area Development ARC Area Development Program is an initiative addressing critical infrastructure and business and workforce development needs in the Appalachian Region​.

ARC POWER ARC Partnerships for Opportunity and Workforce Economic Revitalization targets federal resources to help coal communities expand local and regional economies. ​​​ Brennan Tucker​ , ARC Program Manager Raven Aiken​ , Local Government Advisor NOTE: The 424 form links below will connect you directly to the standard forms that are available on the grants. gov website.

Please note that you must open and view these documents with Adobe Reader. You may have to download the selected form first, then specify how it is opened and displayed (even if you already have the latest Adobe installed, your operating system may not be configured to open it correctly in which case you have to choose this option manually).

​ ARC Application Initiation Template [ pdf , 172KB] ARC Attachment Checklist Construction Projects [ pdf , 86KB] ARC Construction Application Template [ docx , 89KB] ARC Development Plan 2021-2025 - Kentucky [ pdf , 5MB] ARC draw sheet [ xlsx , 33KB] ARC FY27 Pre-Application Instructions [ pdf , 200KB] ARC Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for Construction [ pdf , 49KB] ARC Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) Non-Construction [ pdf , 49KB] ARC Non-Construction Application Template [ docx , 94KB] ARC Non-Construction Attachment Checklist [ pdf , 86KB] Kentucky Appalachian Regional Commission Area Development Program Overview [ pdf , 204KB] Kentucky ARC County Economic Status FY2026 Map [ pdf , 1MB] Kentucky ARC Strategy Statement FY2026 [ pdf , 1MB] Standard Form for Non-Construction 424 [ pdf , 144KB] Standard Form for Non-Construction 424A [ pdf , 132KB] Standard Form for Non-Construction 424B [ pdf , 64KB] Standard Forms for Construction 424 [ pdf , 144KB] Standard Forms for Construction 424C [ pdf , 2MB] Standard Forms for Construction 424D [ pdf , 65KB] USDA RD Serving as Basic Agency Guidance 2024 [ pdf , 2MB]