On October 16, the Appalachian Regional Commission awarded $68.2 million to 65 projects through its Partnerships for Opportunity and Workforce and Economic Revitalization (POWER) Initiative.

POWER directs federal resources to economic diversification and revitalization projects in Appalachian communities affected by the downturn of the coal industry.

“ARC’s POWER initiative supports coal-impacted communities’ preparation for the next phase of Appalachia’s economy, while ensuring that residents have a say in the course of their own futures,” said ARC Federal Co-Chair Gayle Manchin. “The investments announced in this round of POWER will help train workers, advance new industries, and build upon the progress already being made toward a brighter future full of economic opportunity for our region.”

“We are excited for our new POWER project, which will allow us to build on our progress of preparing our regional workforce for in-demand jobs in the advanced manufacturing industry,” said Catalyst Connection President and CEO Petra Mitchell. “Manufacturing jobs offer workers from hard hit Appalachian communities hope and opportunities for family-sustaining wages and community development. When manufacturing companies and workers succeed, everyone in the local community can benefit.”

Twenty Pennsylvania projects were awarded $18.5 million, including--

-- ClearWater Conservancy in Centre County - Community Conservation Center Ecotourism, Agritourism, and Agribusiness Hub - $2 million

-- Enterprise Development Center of Erie County, Inc. - Ironworks Square: Smart Redevelopment in Coal-Impacted Regions - $2 million

-- Catalyst Connection, Pittsburgh - Pennsylvania Career Pathways to Advanced Manufacturing: "Forging Your Future" for advanced manufacturing jobs - $2 million

-- Jewish Healthcare Foundation in Pittsburgh - Revitalizing Community Jobs—Building, Training and Supporting the Frontline Workforce for Nursing Homes in Pennsylvania - $1.9 million

-- JARI Growth Fund, Inc. in Johnstown - Startup Alleghenies Ecosystem Capital and Technical Assistance Expansion project - $1.8 million

-- Lycoming County - Susquehanna River Walk Extension Trail Construction Project - $1.8 million

-- University of Scranton -  to establish a new Small Business Development Center at the University of Scranton - $1.3 million

-- Corry Community Development Corp., Erie County - Corry City Center Activation and Trail Link - $887,000

-- Westmoreland Hospital - Building an Innovative Nursing Workforce Model: Bridging the Gap from Student to Expert - $769,000

-- Center for Population Health, Johnstown - Growth of Community Health Workers in Cambria/Somerset Counties - $751,000

-- Pittsburgh Robotics Network - Maturing Appalachia's Robotics Workforce - $750,000

-- Saint Vincent College, Westmoreland County - Equipment and Technology for a Nursing Education and Lab Facility - $662,000

-- Bedford County Development Association - Bedford County Business Park II—Site Preparation - $498,000

-- Indiana University of Pennsylvania Research Institute - train and empower maker entrepreneurs in Erie and Crawford counties - $452,000

-- Screen Arts Institute, Shamokin, Northumberland County - Broadcast Arts Initiative project - $400,000

-- Bedford County Technical Center - fund the preconstruction activities required to expand the Bedford County Technical Center, a workforce training facility - $50,000

-- Greene County Commissioners - Greene County Barriers to Workforce Study -$50,000

-- O.S. Johnson Technical Institute-Johnson College, Scranton - Planning for Vehicle

Maintenance Technology Jobs of the Future project - $50,000

-- The Center for Employment Opportunities, Pittsburgh - Transitional Employment for Justice-Impacted Pittsburgh Residents - $50,000

-- University of Pittsburgh Office of Child Development - Two-Generational Literacy to Strengthen the Workforce Pipeline - $49,000.

Click Here for detailed project descriptions.

Click here for complete announcement.

Since 2015, ARC has invested $484.7 million in 564 projects impacting 365 coal-impacted counties. Collectively, these investments are projected to support nearly 54,000 jobs and prepare nearly 170,000 workers and students for new opportunities in growing industries.

ARC plans to release a notice of solicitations of applications (NOSA) for the POWER Initiative in early 2025.

Visit the ARC’s Partnerships for Opportunity and Workforce and Economic Revitalization (POWER) webpage for more information on this program.

NewsClips:

-- Pittsburgh Business Times: Appalachian Regional Commission Awards $18.5 Million To Organizations Across PA To Revitalize Communities Affected By The Loss Of The Coal Industry

-- Post-Gazette: PA Nonprofits Awarded $18.5 Million From Appalachian Regional Commission For Workforce Development In Coal Communities

-- WITF StateImpact PA - Rachel McDevitt: PA Didn’t Plan For The End Of Coal, This Indiana County Community Is Trying To Find A Way Forward

[Posted: October 16, 2024]

10/21/2024