Summary of Federal Grant Award

The City of Blairsville received a $5.074 million Project Grant from the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) under the Appalachian Area Development program (CFDA 23.002) for community infrastructure improvements. The award, announced on October 1, 2025, supports a three-year performance period through September 30, 2028. While the specific infrastructure components are not explicitly detailed in the award documentation, the funding aligns with ARC's strategic priorities for the region, which emphasize investments in critical infrastructure including transportation systems, broadband expansion, and water/wastewater systems, as well as community and economic development capacity building.

Based on the City of Blairsville's demonstrated expertise and prior sub-award activities, the project likely focuses on airport infrastructure modernization and utility coordination at Blairsville Airport. The award builds on previous federally-supported planning efforts that included land and easement acquisition studies, threshold analyses, and power line relocation activities. This current funding provides direct support for advancing these regional infrastructure priorities and enhancing the economic vitality of the Appalachian region in accordance with ARC's mission to strengthen economic growth and community capacity.