Federal Grant Award Summary

The Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) awarded $400,000 in Project Grant funding to the Southwestern NC Planning & Economic Development Commission for Business Site Development activities, with an award date of October 1, 2025, and a completion deadline of September 30, 2027. This grant falls under the Appalachian Area Development program (CFDA 23.002), which supports economic development and infrastructure initiatives across the 13-state Appalachian region. The funding will support the commission's efforts to advance entrepreneurial and business development strategies in seven counties across southwestern North Carolina (Cherokee, Clay, Graham, Haywood, Jackson, Macon, and Swain Counties).

While specific deliverables are not detailed in the award documentation, business site development activities typically encompass site assessment and preparation, infrastructure improvements, marketing and recruitment efforts, and technical assistance to support local economic competitiveness. As a regional planning and economic development organization, the Southwestern NC Planning & Economic Development Commission will leverage this funding to strengthen Appalachia's economic growth in alignment with ARC's strategic objectives of investing in entrepreneurial and business development strategies and building community and organizational capacity for economic advancement.