Partnerships for Opportunity and Workforce and Economic Revitalization (POWER)

Federal Agency

Sub-Department

N/A

Purpose

To support economic diversity, enhanced job training and re-employment opportunities, create jobs in existing or new industries, and attract new sources of investment in communities affected by job losses in coal mining, coal power plant operations, and coal-related supply chain industries.

Applicant and/or Project Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must be in an eligible Appalachian county across the 13-state region: https://www.arc.gov/Appalachian-counties-served-by-arc/

Decarbonization Considerations

POWER grants help communities deploy projects to support new supply chains, clean energy manufacturing, and workforce training. Workforce development programs are not one-size-fits-all, and POWER offers communities in the Appalachian region the opportunity to create regionally and locally tailored training. Consider using planning funding to build partnerships that can accelerate the development of trained contractors for deep efficiency and electrification retrofits for commercial and residential buildings. Recent POWER grant awardees have included projects for sustainable jobs, solar energy training and deployment, bike trail networks, HVAC and electrical engineering skills training, and other energy, economic diversification, and workforce development-related initiatives.

Equity Considerations

This program helps communities recover from declines in coal and manufacturing sectors and transition to new industries. The ARC may prioritize its funding and match rates based on levels of economic distress: https://www.arc.gov/match-requirements-for-arc-grants/

Helpful Tips

Partnerships that leverage existing educational programs or industry collaborations are heavily encouraged. Regional consortia and public-private partnerships are viewed particularly favorably and also highlight a range of strengths and non-federal leverage. Consider inviting ARC staff to participate in specific roundtables or community events with your regional team to get their input directly as you build momentum for funding support.

Other Notes

In FY2021, letters of intent were due March 5, 2021. Prospective applicants should contact their state offices to understand interim deadlines for future solicitations. For a list of FY2020 recipients, visit: https://www.arc.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/POWER-Award-Summaries-by-State-as-of-October-2020-UPDATED-1.13.2021.pdf