WASHINGTON, D.C., August 12, 2025–Today, the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) issued a notice of solicitation of applications (NOSA) for its Partnerships for Opportunity and Workforce and Economic Revitalization (POWER) Initiative. POWER offers federal grant funding for projects that help Appalachian coal communities expand local and regional economies by creating high-quality, in-demand jobs, attracting new sources of private investment, and providing comprehensive workforce services and skills training.
Since its creation 10 years ago, ARC’s collective POWER investments are projected to have created or retained nearly 54,000 jobs and prepared nearly 170,000 workers and students for new opportunities in advanced manufacturing, entrepreneurship, tourism, agriculture and other growing industries.
“ARC’s POWER Initiative helps strengthen Appalachia’s coal communities while giving residents a say in the course of their own futures,” said ARC Federal Co-Chair Gayle Manchin. “These communities have long been critical economic drivers for both our region and the entire country, and ARC believes in their ability to catalyze new development that will take them into the next generation of Appalachian prosperity.”
Successful POWER projects will demonstrate the ability to produce varied economic development outcomes, including broadening local and regional economic bases, creating stable employment opportunities, expanding workforce service and skills training, and attracting new sources of public and private investment. POWER projects can also entail plans to integrate activities with existing economic development strategies or to help implement these strategies on a local, regional or federal level.
“The Appalachian Regional Commission and POWER program provide opportunities in communities that are impacted by changes in the energy transition, supporting efforts to create a vibrant economic future,” said Maryland Governor and 2025 ARC Co-Chair Wes Moore. “By creating economic diversity, enhanced job training, and attractive new sources of investment in our region, transformative POWER projects strengthen manufacturing, entrepreneurship, and workforce development across our 13 Appalachian states.”
Key dates for the fiscal year (FY) 2025 POWER application process include:
- August 21, 2025 (10:00 a.m. ET): Pre-application webinar
- September 12, 2025 (5:00 p.m. ET): Mandatory letters of intent (LOI) due
- October 22, 2025 (5:00 p.m. ET): Grant applications due
- May 2026: Awards announced
Since POWER was established, ARC has invested $485 million in 564 projects to help revitalize 365 Appalachian counties.
Learn more about ARC’s POWER Initiative, the FY 2025 NOSA, and how to apply.
About the Appalachian Regional Commission The Appalachian Regional Commission is an economic development entity of the federal government and 13 state governments focusing on 423 counties across the Appalachian Region. ARC’s mission is to innovate, partner, and invest to build community capacity and strengthen economic growth in Appalachia to help the region achieve socioeconomic parity with the nation.
