Gov. Perdue Announces Appalachian Regional Commission Grants > Southern Governors’ Association

Gov. Perdue Announces Appalachian Regional Commission Grants


Dawson Times October 3, 2008 Economic Development Governor Sonny Perdue today announced 17 grant awards from the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC). These grants are awarded to cities, counties and community groups in the Appalachian Region who have met the community improvement requirements set by the ARC. "This 13-state ARC partnership helps communities in our state compete at the national and global level," said Governor Perdue. "This program creates new opportunities for Georgia residents by improving the quality of life in the northeastern region of our state." The Commission is a partnership of the governors of the 13 Appalachian States and a presidential appointee representing the federal government. The program encourages grassroots participation. Potential applicants are encouraged to work through the six Regional Development Centers in north Georgia to develop projects. The communities being honored include: Chatsworth, Clayton-Rabun County, Dalton, Tallapoosa, Elbert County, Floyd County, Gainesville, Hart County, Helen, Hiawassee, Jackson County, Jefferson, Lavonia, Sautee-Nachoochee and Walker County. There are four goal areas that potential projects should relate to including increased job opportunities and per capita income in the Appalachian region, strengthen the region’s capacity to compete in the global economy, develop and improve infrastructure to make the region economically competitive and build the Appalachian Development Highway System to reduce Appalachia's isolation. Potential projects must be consistent with the priorities identified in the Governor's annual Strategy Statement. Projects should contribute to an economic development strategy. The program provides matching grants to the 37-county Appalachian region of Georgia. The matching requirements vary from each county depending upon its economic status. Final approval on all projects comes from the Appalachian Regional Commission in Washington, D.C. For more information on ARC, please visit www.arc.gov. ###