Appalachian Regional Development Act of 1965, Section
302, Public Law 89-4, as amended; 40 App. U.S.C. 302; Appalachian Regional
Development Reform Act of 1998, Public Law 105-393.
To expand the knowledge of the region to the fullest
extent possible by means of State-sponsored research (including
investigations, studies, technical assistance and demonstration projects) in
order to assist the Commission in accomplishing the objectives of the Act, and
implementation of the ARC strategic plan.
TYPES OF ASSISTANCE:
Project Grants. Place Cursor Here for Definition
USES AND USE RESTRICTIONS:
To research or demonstrate the feasibility of plans and programs for concerted
economic and social development. Priority will be given to technical
assistance related to job creation projects. States can carry out
investigations, research, studies, evaluations, and assessments of needs,
potentials, or attainments of the people of the region, technical assistance,
training programs, demonstrations and the construction of necessary facilities
incident to such activities. All developments resulting from such research,
and demonstration projects must be made freely available to the general
public. Existing research by other agencies is to be utilized as much as
possible. State research projects are also subject to the uses and use
restrictions described under the Appalachian Regional Development program
(23.001).
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:
Applicant Eligibility: Appalachian States, alone or
in combination with other Appalachian States, local public bodies and State
instrumentalities.
Beneficiary Eligibility: States and local public
bodies.
Credentials/Documentation: Projects must conform
to the Appalachian State Development Plan and implementing Strategy Statement
and Investment Program which is submitted annually. Commission regulations
require that the Appalachian State Development Plan and Strategy Statement and
Investment Program must be approved and submitted annually by the Governors
before December 15. Costs will be determined in accordance with OMB Circular
No. A-87 for State and local governments.
Pre-application Coordination: The State Alternate's
Office is the coordinator for the Appalachian investments. Preapplication
conferences with the Appalachian Local Development 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 District Director or
State Alternate's Office will provide guidance on specific problems and
technical assistance in the preparation of applications. The standard
application forms as furnished by ARC 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: A State or local agency,
willing to assume contractual and implementation responsibility for a research
and demonstration project, submits an application for consideration through
the Appalachian State Alternate's office. Applications must be submitted and
approved by the State member of the Appalachian Regional Commission. All
proposed projects must relate to the needs identified in the State Appalachian
Plan and Strategy Statement and Investment Program (due prior to December 15).
This program is subject to the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-110.
Award Procedure: Upon determination that the
State approved project is eligible within a Commission approved Appalachian
State Development Plan and Strategy Statement, the Federal Co-chairman
determines that the project satisfies all Federal requirements.
Deadlines: None, except those imposed by each
State and the general requirement of the Commission; that is, proposed
projects shall be included in each of the State's approved project funding
program which is submitted annually before December 15.
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time: From 36 to 60
days after the receipt of the application at the Commission.
Appeals: None.
Renewals: Yes, processed in the same manner as
the original application.
ASSISTANCE CONSIDERATIONS:
Formula and Matching Requirements: Generally,
Federal assistance will not exceed 50 percent for research and planning
projects. Projects located in Commission-designated distressed counties may be
funded at up to 80 percent of project costs. Projects located in Commission-
designated competitive counties may only be funded at 30 percent of project
costs and projects are generally not funded in Commission- designated
attainment counties.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance: Usually 12
months. Assistance is provided as required.
POST ASSISTANCE REQUIREMENTS:
Reports: A member of the Commission staff is
designated as project coordinator to maintain liaison with the contractor, and
monitor and evaluate progress and performance under the contract.
Audits: As required by 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 form Federal audit requirements
for that year, except as noted in Circular No. A-133.
Records: As required by the terms of the
contract.
FINANCIAL INFORMATION:
Account Identification: 46-0200-0-1-452.
Obligations: (Grants) FY 01 $900,000; FY 02 est
$840,000; and FY 03 est not available.
Range and Average of Financial Assistance:
$10,000 to $200,000; Average: $112,500.
The fiscal year 2001 program included continued support for the Appalachian
scholar program and implementation of the ARC strategic plan and Government
Performance and Results Act. Started or completed studies included: factors
associated with the changing status of distressed counties; an evaluation of
ARC's public works and infrastructure projects; foundation funding in
Appalachia in the 1990s; intermodal transportation plans, systems, and
activities in Appalachia; an analysis of the economic base of distressed and
near- distressed counties; labor force participation and underemployment rates
in Appalachia; current and future impacts of the regional coal industry; an
assessment of economic development opportunities arising from the completion
of the ADHS corridors; and a program evaluation of ARC's education projects.
REGULATIONS, GUIDELINES, AND LITERATURE:
"The Appalachian Regional Commission Code" (limited distribution);
"Appalachian Regional Commission Project Guidelines" (limited
distribution); "Appalachia" a journal devoted to the special
problems of regional development (no charge); Research Program Prospectus
(limited distribution) Annual Reports. "Section 302 (a) (2) State
Research and Demonstration Programs, Formal Application Procedures"
(limited distribution).
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.
