Letters of intent are due May 22, 2026, for funding through ARC’s POWER Initiative, which creates new opportunities in Appalachian coal communities.
Washington, D.C., May 5, 2026—Today, the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) issued a notice of solicitation of applications (NOSA) for its fiscal year (FY) 2026 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.
To date, ARC has invested nearly $485 million in 564 projects, which are helping to leverage approximately $1.85 billion in additional private investment to revitalize 365 coal counties. These 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.
“Appalachia’s coal communities have long been a driving force in our region’s economic development,” said ARC Federal Co-Chair Gayle Manchin. “Through ARC’s POWER initiative, our intent is to strengthen the communities’ ability to push forward into the next era of prosperity, while empowering the residents to be able to chart the course of their futures.”
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.
“ARC’s POWER initiative leverages federal and regional partnerships to support practical, locally driven projects in coal-impacted communities,” said ARC 2026 States’ Co-Chair, Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves. “These investments strengthen workforce development and promote sustainable, competitive economies. I look forward to seeing the positive benefits that will come as a result of the POWER Initiative.”
Key dates for the fiscal year 2026 POWER application process include:
- May 5, 2026: NOSA and pre-application webinar recording released on arc.gov/power
- May 15, 2026: Register for Pathways, ARC’s grant management system, to ensure access to the application portal
- May 22, 2026 (5:00 p.m. ET): Required letters of intent (LOI) due
- July 8, 2026 (5:00 p.m. ET): Grant applications due
- Winter 2027: Awards announced
Award recipients for the previous FY 2025 funding cycle will be announced this summer, followed by recipients for the FY 2026 funding in Winter 2027.
Learn more about ARC’s POWER Initiative, the FY 2026 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 invest and partner to strengthen economic development in Appalachia to help the region reach its full economic potential.