Federal Initiative Encourages Developing a Competitive Workforce 

$25 Million Available in Federal Grants for Eligible Projects In Appalachian Region, Which  Includes  14 New York State Counties

RFP is Online; Letters of Intent Due April 4, 2022; Final Applications Due April 29, 2021 by 5 pm

The New York Department of State today announced the availability of $25 million in federal grants through the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) to diversify economies in communities and regions affected by job losses in coal mining, coal power plant operations and coal-related supply chain industries. The funds will be made available through the ARC’s Partnerships for Opportunity and Workforce and Economic Revitalization (POWER) Initiative, providing implementation grants up to $1.5 million and planning grants up to $50,000 for projects within the federally-designated Appalachian region, which includes 14 counties within New York’..

“New York State is a leader in making smart investments to build a bold, green economy,” said New York State Secretary of State Robert J. Rodriguez. “We are excited for this latest round of funding that will help New York’s Appalachian Region grow its economy and diversify its workforce, which will help many communities and families in the Southern Tier and Western New York.”

ARC Federal Co-Chair Gayle Manchin said, “Meaningful POWER projects are resulting in economic transformations and providing hope in coal-impacted communities all around Appalachia. ARC looks forward to assisting communities in our 13 Appalachian states as they pursue initiatives leading to a brighter future for our region.” 

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Basil Seggos said, “As New York State continues to advance clean energy initiatives, we are also working to ensure all communities benefit from the state’s transition to a renewable energy economy. The Appalachian Regional Commission initiative and POWER program are working to make a wide array of career opportunities and alternative careers are available to New Yorkers in communities impacted by the transition to cleaner, greener energy sources. The grants announced today by our partners at the Department of State will support enhanced workforce training and re-employment opportunities in new or existing industries as New Yorkers work together to move beyond coal and build a more sustainable green economy that benefits all communities.”

NYPA Interim President and CEO Justin E. Driscoll said, “New York State’s workforce is fast evolving to meet the needs of a growing green energy economy. The POWER initiative will expose residents in 14 New York counties to new clean energy employment opportunities and introduce them to a greener economic future powered by sustainable renewable energy resources. NYPA applauds this innovative program that will help New York transition to a clean energy future benefitting all New Yorkers.” 

NYSERDA President and CEO Doreen M. Harris said, “New York is taking proactive steps to assist communities across the state impacted by coal industry-related and fossil fuel power plant closures by providing local site re-use planning resources to ensure a just transition as part of the state’s growing green economy. This federal funding will provide supplemental opportunities for the communities within this 14-county region to rebuild and revitalize their local economies while preparing displaced workers for clean energy jobs of the future.”

POWER supports efforts to create a more vibrant economic future for coal impacted communities by cultivating economic diversity, enhancing job training and reemployment opportunities, creating jobs in existing or new industries, and attracting new sources of investment. Applications should demonstrate the ability to produce diverse economic development outcomes, including diversifying commercial and industrial bases of local and regional economies, creating well-paying jobs in new or emerging industries, expanding workforce service and skills training, and attracting new sources of public and private investment. Proposals may also include plans to integrate multiple economic development systems and support the implementation of existing economic development strategic plans on a local, regional, or federal level.

Proposed project activities may include multiple partners from one or more ARC-member states but must be focused within the Appalachian Region. In New York, projects should be focused within the any of the following 14 counties: Allegany, Broome, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Chemung, Chenango, Cortland, Delaware, Otsego, Schoharie, Schuyler, Steuben, Tioga and Tompkins. 

Eligible applicants for ARC’s POWER Initiative grants include:

• Local development districts (LDDs)
• Indian tribes or a consortium of Indian tribes
• States, counties, cities, or other political subdivision of a state, including a special purpose unit of a state or local government engaged in economic or infrastructure development activities, or a consortium of political subdivisions
• Institutions of higher education or a consortium of institutions of higher education
• Public or private nonprofit organizations or associations States, counties, cities, or other political subdivisions, including a special purpose unit of a state or local government engaged in economic or infrastructure development activities, or a consortium of political subdivisions 

The Request for Proposals (RFP) can be viewed or downloaded here. Letters of Intent to apply for POWER grants must be submitted by Monday, April 4, 2022. Final applications are due Friday, April 29, 2022 by 5pm (ET). Award announcements are expected in the fall of 2022. Additional information and resources such as workshop details are available at arc.gov/POWER. 

To date, POWER has invested $5.5M in nine projects across New York’s Southern Tier and Western Regions, making improvements to broadband connectivity and assisting to prepare individuals for careers in entrepreneurship, broadband, tourism and other sectors.

New York’s 14 county ARC Program is administered within the Department of State’s Division of Local Government Services (Division). For more information on programs administered by the Division, go to https://www.dos.ny.gov/lg/. Follow the Department of State on Twitter at @NYSDOS or Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/NewYorkDepartmentOfState/.

About the Appalachian Regional Commission The ARC (www.arc.gov) is an economic development partnership agency of the federal government and 13 state governments focusing on 420 counties across the Appalachian Region (https://www.arc.gov/appalachian-counties-served-by-arc/). 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.

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