In these tough economic times, many communities in Southern and Eastern Kentucky often have a vision for the future but lack the funds necessary to make that vision a reality.
During its next Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) funding cycle, The Center for Rural Development in Somerset, Ky. will be awarding federally funded mini-grants to help advance strategic planning efforts throughout the region.
Grant applications from city and county governments and eligible nonprofit organizations in 37 Southern and Eastern Kentucky communities will be accepted through Nov. 15. Grants, which range from $5,000 to a maximum of $10,000, are scheduled to be awarded in March.
The ARC mini-grants, awarded through The Center’s Developing and Implementing Community Strategies Program, may be used for either the successful creation of a strategic plan or the implementation of priority community development projects identified in existing strategic plans.
The Center, a nonprofit economic development organization, encourages prospective applicants to incorporate the use of technology solutions in the implementation and execution of these plans and projects.
“Stimulating innovative and sustainable economic development solutions in the region we serve is at the core of The Center’s mission, and these grants target communities that have the ideas—but lack the resources—to move forward,” Lonnie Lawson, president and CEO of The Center, said. “Grants awarded during the last ARC funding cycle made a significant impact on each of the counties, cities, or organizations that received them, and we fully expect this new funding will build on that success and impact our region to a much greater extent.”
Since 2005, more than $475,000 in ARC mini-grant funding has been awarded by The Center to 39 Southern and Eastern Kentucky communities to advance local economic and community development plans.
All projects must be completed within six months after the grant announcement and require a local cash match of 20 percent of the total project cost.
For more information, contact Patti Simpson at 606-6000 or email arc@centertech.com.
All counties eligible for funding support must be designated as ARC-distressed counties, which include the following 37 counties in The Center’s primary service area: Adair, Bath, Bell, Breathitt, Carter, Casey, Clay, Clinton, Cumberland, Elliott, Estill, Floyd, Green, Harlan, Jackson, Johnson, Knott, Knox, Lawrence, Lee, Leslie, Letcher, Lincoln, Magoffin, Martin, McCreary, Menifee, Metcalfe, Monroe, Morgan, Owsley, Perry, Rockcastle, Russell, Wayne, Whitley, and Wolfe. Cities within those counties may also apply.
