Obama Administration Announces $65.8 Million Available
for Economic and Workforce Development in Coal-Impacted Communities
Funding Part of Obama Administration’s POWER Initiative
Today, the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) and the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA)
announced the availability of $65.8 million through the Obama Administration’s
Partnerships for Opportunity and Workforce and Economic Revitalization (POWER)
Initiative to develop new strategies for
economic growth and worker advancement for communities that have historically
relied on the coal economy for economic stability. With this announcement, communities and
regions that have been negatively impacted by changes in the coal economy --
including mining, coal fired power plants and related transportation, logistics
and manufacturing supply chains -- can apply for resources to help strengthen
their economies and workforces. Funds
are available for a range of activities, including:
- Developing
projects that diversify local and regional economies, create jobs in new
and/or existing industries, attract new sources of job-creating investment
and provide a range of workforce services and skills training;
- Building
partnerships to attract and invest in the economic future of coal-impacted
communities;
- Increasing
capacity and other technical assistance fostering long term economic
growth and opportunity in coal-impacted communities.
In making the announcement, Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Jay Williams said, “Through the POWER Initiative, the Obama Administration has committed
to helping coal-impacted communities diversify their economies amidst the
changing power sector landscape. EDA is pleased to lead this important
initiative with our federal partners to help communities across the nation
access federal support to create jobs, attract capital investments and
strengthen workforce development in their regions.”
Added ARC Federal Co-Chair Earl Gohl, “Many communities across Appalachia – from coal mines to Main Streets –
are being impacted as the world changes the way it produces and consumes
electricity. The POWER Initiative can be
a game-changer for Appalachia by partnering with these communities and
investing Federal resources to support local initiatives that will forge
sustainable economic paths for the future.”
The POWER Initiative is a multi-agency
effort aligning and targeting federal economic and workforce development
resources to communities and workers that have been affected by job losses in
coal mining, coal power plant operations, and coal-related supply chain
industries due to the changing economics of America’s energy production. The POWER Initiative is part of President
Obama’s POWER+ Plan, a broader set of investments in coal-impacted
communities, workers, and coal technology that is in the President’s FY 2017
Budget.
Additional information about the POWER Initiative, including
application materials, is available at www.arc.gov/power
or www.eda.gov/power. Make sure to view What’s New page for additional information, including a summary overview of POWER 2016 and a POWER 2016 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document.
Applications will be accepted on a rolling
basis. Awards will be announced later this year.
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