The City of Starkville received a $2,075,545 Project Grant award from the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) under the Appalachian Area Development program (CFDA 23.002), effective October 1, 2025, with an ultimate completion date of September 30, 2028. This award supports sector-based economic development strategies aligned with ARC's mission to build community capacity and strengthen economic growth in the Appalachian region. The grant funds initiatives designed to advance entrepreneurial development, workforce education, critical infrastructure improvements, and community revitalization efforts that leverage natural and cultural assets to enhance Starkville's regional competitiveness.
As a Project Grant under CFDA 23.002, the award advances one or more of ARC's five strategic goals: entrepreneurial and business development, workforce and education initiatives, critical infrastructure (including broadband and transportation), community and economic development, and organizational capacity building. The funding represents part of ARC's broader investment strategy, which obligates federal dollars on a cost-share basis with non-federal matching contributions, and requires that all proposed projects conform to Mississippi's approved State Strategy Statement and receive state member approval prior to implementation.