READY Local Governments is offering a nine-week training program, expert guidance, and funding opportunities to help local governments in the Appalachian Region better apply for, manage, and implement federal funding.
WASHINGTON, D.C., January 18, 2024–Today, the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) announced the launch of READY Local Governments, one of four tailored tracks under ARC’s capacity-building initiative, READY Appalachia. READY Local Governments offers no-cost training and funding (no match required) to help local government officials better identify, secure, manage, and implement federally funded projects.
The announcement included a Notice of Solicitation of Applicants (NOSA) for the first READY Local Governments training opportunity—a virtual, nine-week program in spring 2024 that will help local government administrators and officials learn actionable skills, including:
- Project Identification, Research, and Planning
- The Grant Lifecycle
- Federal Grant Application Development
- Community Engagement
- Federal Grant Regulations and Compliance
- Federal Grant Financial and Risk Management
“Since our founding in 1965, ARC’s partnerships with local governments have been integral in our efforts to enhance the resilience and economic vitality of Appalachia,” said ARC Federal Co-Chair Gayle Manchin. “Our READY Local Governments initiative will provide training, resources, and support to expand the scope of the work these local governments are doing in their communities, which will in turn strengthen our entire 13 state region.”
Following completion of the training program, participants will be eligible for up to $50,000 in funding (no-match required) to implement internal capacity-building projects to help them better serve communities.
“Local leaders manage a variety of complex issues and providing training and funding opportunities will provide support for communities in Appalachian states. ARC has always been a great partner to states and local governments and this new initiative advances that partnership,” said ARC States’ Co-Chair Governor Bill Lee of Tennessee.
Since the launch of READY Appalachia in July 2022, ARC has provided training and funding to help the region’s Local Development Districts and nonprofit organizations build internal capacity. Nearly $4 million has been awarded through READY Local Development Districts and more than $1.6 million has been awarded through READY Nonprofits.
Applications for the first READY Local Governments training program are due February 29, 2024, and capacity is limited to 180 local government officials, with no more than two officials per community. To learn more about applying, register for this informational webinar on February 8, 2024, at 1:00 pm ET. To learn more about READY Local Governments and how to apply, visit: www.arc.gov/ready/localgovs/.
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.
About READY Appalachia
READY Appalachia is an ARC community-capacity building initiative for nonprofit organizations, Local Development Districts (LDDs), local governments, and community foundations serving the Appalachian Region. Participants access no-cost training, cohort-based learning, and funding opportunities (no match required) to increase their ability to solve pressing issues and create lasting, positive change in communities.