To help the regional economy become more competitive by
putting in place the building blocks for self-sustaining economic development,
while continuing to provide special assistance to the Region's most distressed
counties. This program focuses on activities which support ARC's mission to
create opportunities for self-sustaining economic development and improved
quality of life in the region. Activities funded must advance ARC's strategic
plan. Specific program goals are: (1) Appalachian residents will have the
skills and knowledge necessary to compete in the world economy in the 21st
century; (2) Appalachian communities will have the physical infrastructure
necessary for self-sustaining economic development and improved quality of
life; (3) The people of Appalachia will have the vision and capacity to
mobilize and work together for sustained economic progress and improvement of
their communities; (4) Appalachian residents will have access to financial and
technical resources to help build dynamic and self-sustaining local economies;
and (5) Appalachian residents will have access to affordable, quality health
care. Specific objectives were developed for each goal. Grants are made either
directly by the Commission or grants may supplement other Federal grants.
TYPES OF ASSISTANCE:
Project Grants. Place Cursor Here for Definition
USES AND USE RESTRICTIONS:
The grants may be used for providing supplemental funds under any Federal
grant-in-aid programs. To be eligible for special basic grants, projects must
be of high priority in the State's Appalachian development plan and be either
of critical importance to a phased investment and development program for a
multi-county area, or of unusual economic benefit to such area. Refer to
"General Provisions for Area Development Program" of the Appalachian
Regional Commission Code for additional use restrictions.
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:
Applicant Eligibility: States, their subdivisions
and instrumentalities and private nonprofit agencies.
Beneficiary Eligibility: General public.
Credentials/Documentation: Any finding, report,
certification, or documentation required to be submitted to the head of the
department, agency, or instrumentality of the Federal Government responsible
for the administration of the basic Federal grant-in-aid program shall be
accepted by the Federal Co-chairman with respect to a supplemental grant for
any project under such program. Projects must conform to the ARC Code, the ARD
Act, and the Appalachian Plan and Strategy Statement and Investment Program
which are submitted annually. Commission regulations require that the
Appalachian State Development Plan, Strategy Statement and Investment Program,
due prior to December 15, must be approved and submitted by the Governors.
Costs will be determined in accordance with OMB Circular applicable to the
grantee.
Pre-application Coordination: The State Alternate's
Office is the coordinator for Appalachian investments. Pre-application
conferences with the Appalachian local district director or the State
Alternate's Office can determine within a few weeks if the project can be
related to the State Appalachian development plan. The State Alternate Office
will provide guidance on specific problems and technical assistance in
preparation of applications. An environmental impact statement may be required
for this program, depending on the basic Federal grant-in-aid program being
assisted. The standard application forms as furnished by the Federal agency
and required by OMB Circular No. A-102 must be used for this program. This
program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372.
Application Procedure: Application must be
submitted and approved by the State member of the ARC. All proposed projects
must conform to the State Strategy Statement submitted annually prior to
December 15. Guidelines and forms for funding Appalachian development projects
are available from the local development district director and the State
Alternate's Office. A letter of transmittal signed by the State member and an
executed ARC Form 1 is required with the submission.
Award Procedure: Upon determination that the
State approved project is eligible within a Commission approved Appalachian
State Development Plan and Strategy Statement and Investment Program, the
Federal Co-Chairman determines that the project satisfies all Federal
requirements. If a basic Federal agency will administer the project it is then
notified and will disburse the grant funds when appropriate. The ARC notifies
Congressional Offices and the Office of the Governor of grant awards.
Deadlines: Proposed projects are submitted by the
States and must be submitted according to deadlines set by each State.
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time: From 30 to 60
days after the receipt of the application at the Commission.
Appeals: None.
Renewals: Not applicable.
ASSISTANCE CONSIDERATIONS:
Formula and Matching Requirements: At least 20
percent of the eligible development costs must be obtained from sources other
than the Federal Government for construction and equipment projects under
Sections 202, and 214 of the ARD Act. At least 90 percent of the eligible
development costs must be obtained from sources other than the Federal
Government for construction assistance for housing projects, and at least 20
percent must be obtained from sources other than the Federal Government for
planning and technical assistance for housing projects under Section 207 of
the ARD Act. ARC-administered demonstration grants under Section 302(a)(3) of
the ARD Act and other Commission grants are also subject to geographic funding
restrictions as follows: in general, Commission assistance is restricted to 50
percent of project costs. This can be raised to 80 percent in
Commission-designated distressed counties and is further limited to 30 percent
in Commission-designated competitive counties. ARC assistance is generally not
available for projects located in Commission-designated attainment counties.
The ARC Code and "Appalachian Regional Commission Project
Guidelines" furnish details.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance: Assistance
is provided until completion; funds are transferred to the basic Federal
agency and disbursed as appropriate. ARC reserves the right to withdraw grants
for projects not under contract within 18 months of approval.
POST ASSISTANCE REQUIREMENTS:
Reports: Reporting and performance monitoring as
required by the basic Federal agency or the Commission, as appropriate.
Audits: Audits as required by the basic Federal
agency and the Commission. In accordance with the Single Audit Act Amendments
of 1996, Public Law 104-156. In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular
No. A-133 (Revised, June 24, 1997), "Audits of States, Local Governments,
and Non-Profit Organizations," nonfederal entities that expend financial
assistance of $300,000 or more in Federal awards will have a single or a
program-specific audit conducted for that year. Nonfederal entities that
expend less than $300,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal
audit requirements for that year, except as noted in Circular No. A-133.
Records: Records as required by the basic Federal
agency. Under the total audit concept, audits will be made on an
organization-wide basis (rather than grant-by-grant) under GAO guidelines,
Standards for Audit of Governmental Organizations, Programs, Activities and
Functions, and for programs covered by A-102, Attachment P.
FINANCIAL INFORMATION:
Account Identification: 46-0200-0-1-452.
Obligations: FY 01 $52,638,000; FY 02 est
$90,119,000; and FY 03 est not available.
Range and Average of Financial Assistance: The
range is from $4,742 to $1,500,000.
In fiscal year 2001, 449 projects were approved. The States concentrated
efforts on meeting a variety of pressing needs in the Region including
projects for water and sewer systems, industrial parks, entrepreneurship,
training, vocational education, leadership, export promotion, health care,
child development, revolving loans, and business incubators, in conjunction
with private sector commitments.
REGULATIONS, GUIDELINES, AND LITERATURE:
"The Appalachian Regional Commission Code" (limited distribution);
"Appalachian Regional Commission Project Guidelines" (limited
distribution); applicable State Appalachian Plans and Guidelines;
"Appalachia" - a journal devoted to the special problems of regional
development; Annual Reports, no charge.
INFORMATION CONTACTS:
Regional or Local Office: Refer to Appendix IV of
the Catalog.
Headquarters Office: Inquiries and proposals for
projects should be submitted first to the Appalachian State office designated
by the Governor. (See Appendix IV of the Catalog.) Other inquiries may be
addressed to: Executive Director, Appalachian Regional Commission, 1666
Connecticut Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20235. Telephone: (202) 884- 7700. Use
the same number for FTS.
