ARC Information​
Overview​
Contact​
News and Events​
Documents / Application Information​

 

Overview

The Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) was created by Congress in 1965 to bring the 13 Appalachian states into the mainstream of the American economy. The Commission is a partnership of federal, state, and local governments, and was created to promote economic growth and improve the quality of life in the 13-state region stretching along the Appalachian Mountains from southern New York to northern Mississippi. The region includes 406 counties, incorporating all of West Virginia and counties in 12 other states: Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, Maryland, Mississippi, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia.

The development organization for the Appalachian program in Alabama functions within the Governor’s Office. Administration responsibilities for the development programs of the ARC are assigned by the Governor to the Director of the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA). As such, the Director serves as an Alternate State Member of the Commission.

The Local Development Districts (LDDs) are our local partners and are an active and essential part of the ARC partnership. There are eight LDDs in Alabama’s Appalachian Region, and each LDD operates under a Board of Directors composed of elected representatives from the various local governments. The eight LDDs are: West Alabama Regional Commission (205/333-2990); Regional Planning Commission of Greater Birmingham (205/251-8139); Top of Alabama Regional Council of Governments (256/830-0818); Northwest Alabama Council of Local Governments (256/389-0555); North Central Alabama Regional Council of Governments (256/355-4515); South Central Alabama Development Commission (334/244-6903); Central Alabama Regional Planning Commission (334/262-4300); and East Alabama Regional Planning and Development Commission (256/237-6741). Technical assistance and assistance in the preparation of grant applications are available through each of the LDDs.

Alabama’s Appalachian Region includes the 37 northern-most counties. These counties are: Bibb, Blount, Calhoun, Chambers, Cherokee, Chilton, Clay, Cleburne, Colbert, Coosa, Cullman, DeKalb, Elmore, Etowah, Fayette, Franklin, Hale, Jackson, Jefferson, Lamar, Lauderdale, Lawrence, Limestone, Macon, Madison, Marion, Marshall, Morgan, Pickens, Randolph, St. Clair, Shelby, Talladega, Tallapoosa, Tuscaloosa, Walker, and Winston.

The usual maximum ARC funding per project is $200,000. ARC designates counties to be in one of five groups: Attainment Counties, Competitive Counties, Distressed Counties, At-risk Counties or Transitional Counties. These designations are made on an annual basis. Attainment Counties are not eligible for ARC funding. Competitive Counties are eligible for 30% ARC funding.  Distressed Counties are eligible for 80% ARC funding.  At-Risk Counties are eligible for up to 70% ARC funding. All other counties are Transitional Counties and are eligible for 50% ARC funding.

The goal of the ARC program is to create opportunities for self-sustaining economic development and improved quality of life. All projects must meet one of the following four goals established by ARC:

 

ARC Goal 1: Increase job opportunities and per capita income in Appalachia to reach parity with the nation.

ARC Goal 2: Strengthen the capacity of the people of Appalachia to compete in the global economy.

ARC Goal 3: Develop and improve Appalachia’s infrastructure to make the Region economically competitive.

ARC Goal 4: Build the Appalachian Development Highway System to reduce Appalachia’s isolation.

 

An annual ARC Workshop is held in late July or early August of each year. A notice of the workshop will be posted on the ADECA website at least one month prior to the workshop date. Pre-applications are taken the entire month of August. Pre-application guidelines and other documents are available online on this website.

View the state's development plan and strategy below:

TypeUse SHIFT+ENTER to open the menu (new window).
  
NameUse SHIFT+ENTER to open the menu (new window).
  
2011-2015 State Plan.pdf2011-2015 State Plan
2013 ARC State Strategy.pdf2013 ARC State Strategy
2007-2010 State Plan.pdf2007-2010 State Plan

 

Contact

Phone: (334) 353-4490
Fax: (334) 353-3527
Email: jimmy.lester@adeca.alabama.gov

 

News and Events

The agendas for ARC's workshop (July 31) and the Education Grants workshop (Aug. 1) are listed below. The workshops, for the 2013 grant year, are being held at the Cullman City Hall in Cullman, AL. Also listed below is a guide map for restaurants located in downtown Cullman. 

TypeUse SHIFT+ENTER to open the menu (new window).
  
NameUse SHIFT+ENTER to open the menu (new window).
  
2013 ARC Workshop Agenda.pdf2013 ARC Workshop Agenda
Education Workshop Agenda 2013.pdfEducation Workshop Agenda 2013
Cullman Downtown Restaurant Guide.pdfCullman Downtown Restaurant Guide
 
 

Documents / Application Information

Grant Administration Manual

TypeUse SHIFT+ENTER to open the menu (new window).
  
NameUse SHIFT+ENTER to open the menu (new window).
  
ARC Grant Administration Manual - Frequently Asked Questions.pdfARC Grant Administration Manual - Frequently Asked Questions
Closeout.pdfCloseout
Grantee Manual June 2010.pdfGrantee Manual June 2010
Guidelines for Compiling Final Reports.pdfGuidelines for Compiling Final Reports
Reimbursement Request Worksheet.pdfReimbursement Request Worksheet
Standard Form 270.docStandard Form 270
Vendor Payment Form (SF3881).pdfVendor Payment Form (SF3881)

 

 

Grant Application Forms and Instructions

TypeUse SHIFT+ENTER to open the menu (new window).
  
NameUse SHIFT+ENTER to open the menu (new window).
  
2011 Performance Measures.pdf2011 Performance Measures
ARC-CDBG Certification.pdfARC-CDBG Certification
Guide for Construction Proposals.pdfGuide for Construction Proposals
Guide for Non-Construction Proposals.pdfGuide for Non-Construction Proposals
Memorandum of Understanding for ARC Projects.pdfMemorandum of Understanding for ARC Projects
Performance Measure Guidance.pdfPerformance Measure Guidance
Pre-Application Guidelines.pdfPre-Application Guidelines
Project Summary Format.pdfProject Summary Format
Application for Federal Assistance (SF424).pdfApplication for Federal Assistance (SF424)
Budget Information - Non-Construction Programs (SF424a).pdfBudget Information - Non-Construction Programs (SF424a)
Assurances - Non-Construction Programs (SF424b).pdfAssurances - Non-Construction Programs (SF424b)
Budget Information - Construction Programs (SF424c).pdfBudget Information - Construction Programs (SF424c)
Assurances - Construction Programs (SF424d).pdfAssurances - Construction Programs (SF424d)