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ActiveAppalachian Regional Commission · 2026

Workforce Opportunity for Rural Communities (WORC) Initiative

Quick Facts

Agency: Appalachian Regional Commission
Funding: Varies
Deadline: Check Source
Status: Active
Eligibility: State and local government entities, Indian tribes, institutions of higher education, and non-profit organizations.

About This Grant

Workforce Opportunity for Rural Communities (WORC) Initiative is sponsored by Appalachian Regional Commission. Partners with the U. S.

Department of Labor to provide training and support to dislocated, new, and incumbent workers in rural areas.

View Original RFP

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Official Opportunity Details

Extracted from the official opportunity page/RFP to help you evaluate fit faster.

Workforce Opportunity for Rural Communities - Appalachian Regional Commission Workforce Opportunity for Rural Communities The Workforce Opportunity for Rural Communities (WORC) Initiative, managed by the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) , provides enhanced training and support activities to dislocated workers, new entrants in the workforce, incumbent workers and individuals facing barriers to employment due to economic distress or structural shifts in local industries in the Appalachian, Delta and Northern Border regions.

As part of WORC, ARC partners with the Department of Labor to develop comprehensive approaches addressing economic distress and workforce development activities throughout Appalachia. Successful WORC projects draw on long-term economic growth strategies, building on bottom-up, collaborative plans maximizing economic resilience and regional strengths.

WORC’s Impact in Appalachia Since 2019, the Department of Labor has invested more than $102. 1 million in 77 projects specifically preparing displaced workers for new opportunities in 326 counties across Appalachia through WORC. Together, these investments are projected to place 18,334 workers in new or enhanced jobs in construction, healthcare, information technology and manufacturing throughout the Region.

Building Appalachia’s Workforce Ecosystem Addressing Substance Use Disorder in Appalachia First Tennessee Development District: Championing Caring Rural Workplaces

Eligibility Requirements

State and local government entities, Indian tribes, institutions of higher education, and non-profit organizations.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who can apply for Workforce Opportunity for Rural Communities (WORC) Initiative?

According to the current listing, eligibility includes: State and local government entities, Indian tribes, institutions of higher education, and non-profit organizations. Confirm the full requirements in the official notice before applying.

Who funds Workforce Opportunity for Rural Communities (WORC) Initiative?

Workforce Opportunity for Rural Communities (WORC) Initiative is funded by Appalachian Regional Commission. Verify program details on the funder's official page before applying.

How do I apply for Workforce Opportunity for Rural Communities (WORC) Initiative?

Start from the official opportunity page linked in this listing — it carries the sponsor's submission instructions.

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DOL's WORC Round 7 Puts $49.2M Behind Rural Sector Partnerships: The July 23 Deadline, the $2M–$8M Award Band, and Why Employer Depth Wins This Competition

The Workforce Opportunity for Rural Communities Initiative returns for a seventh round with $49.2M for the Appalachian, Delta, and Northern Border regions — awards of $2M to $8M, an estimated 6 to 24 grants, and a July 23, 2026 deadline. Here is how the three-commission structure works, who is eligible, why WORC 7's shift toward large-scale regional sector partnerships changes who should apply, and how to build a proposal that survives the competition.

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