We Help Communities Apply for Appalachian Community Grant Program Funds
With the State of Ohio’s announcement of the landmark $500 million Appalachian Community Grant Program, now is the time to start planning to take advantage of this one-of-a-kind funding opportunity. Applications opened November 2 for both Technical Assistance and Development Projects. The application deadline for the first round of funding is December 9, 2022, at 5 p.m.
PROGRAM BACKGROUND
- Infrastructure: such as main street or downtown redevelopment, improvements to multi-community connecting trails, significant outdoor community space, large-scale economic development site infrastructure, mixed-use redevelopment, or links to community arts, history, and culture.
- Healthcare: such as school-based health clinics, recovery-to-work projects, establish or expand farmer markets, address substance use disorder, or expand mental health access through telemedicine.
- Workforce: fund in-demand, industry-driven training programs, upskill current workers and develop pathways in partnership with local businesses, establish entrepreneurial and remote workforce centers, and prioritize training that will build workforce and capacity.
The program will be administered through the Ohio Department of Development, with strong involvement from the Governor’s Office of Appalachia.
Final guidelines are expected to be coming soon, and applications for both planning and development funding will be available in multiple rounds. All grants awarded shall be approved by the Controlling Board.
The law outlines two award categories under the program, as follows:
- Appalachian Planning Grants: during the first year from the effective date, $15 million or up to $30 million for Appalachian Planning Grants as determined by the Director of Development.
- Appalachian Development Grants: during the first year from the effective date, $50 million shall be used to award Appalachian Development Grants to grant recipients that did not receive an Appalachian Planning Grant.
When reviewing project applications, the Department will give priority to projects that include the following characteristics:
- Has region-wide scale or impact
- Is evidence-based
- Includes a private-public partnership
- Is economically sustainable
- Will prove transformative to the region impacted by the project
The final deadline for program approval awards is up to December 31, 2024, and awardees must expend all grant funds by December 31, 2026.
PDG Can Help
The transformational Appalachian Community Grant Program funding will be available for projects in the 32 Appalachian Ohio counties and address local priorities in three main project focus areas:
Be creative! Think big!
Think about bringing partners together to capitalize on the uniqueness of your community, county, and finding ways to connect surrounding areas and regional partners. And when you’re ready, Poggemeyer Design Group (PDG), a Kleinfelder Company, has experienced planners, grant writers and project managers available to help.
PDG has enjoyed over 50 years of success writing, administering, and implementing a wide variety of state and federal grant programs throughout Ohio, including winning applications for the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development’s Community Facilities Direct Loan & Grant Program, USDA Loan Packaging Grant, Housing Preservation Grant (HPG), Economic Development Administration (EDA), Community Housing Improvement Program (CHIP), and Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), to name a few.
With an entire team of planners, grant writers, project engineers, and managers, you can be sure that your project will receive proper attention from concept through completion.
Application details for the program have not yet been released by the Ohio Department of Development, but now is the time to start preparing. We are available to assist communities as you begin to assess project development ideas.
For more information, contact Paulette Mills at: pmills@kleinfelder.com | 419-352-7537, or Lauren Falcone at lfalcone@kleinfelder.com | 440-669-4647