State administrative grant

The Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) awarded a State Administrative Grant of $295,563 to the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development (TDECD) under the Appalachian Area Development program (CFDA 23.002), effective July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026. As a state administrative grant, this award supports TDECD's capacity to coordinate and administer Appalachian development initiatives across Tennessee, with emphasis on underserved, rural, and Appalachian regions. The funding enables the department to deliver comprehensive economic development planning, infrastructure support, workforce development, and community capacity building services aligned with ARC's strategic objectives of fostering entrepreneurial development, enhancing resident education and skills, investing in critical infrastructure, leveraging regional assets, and building local leadership capacity.

TDECD leverages ARC funding in conjunction with its extensive federal grant portfolio to strengthen local economies and expand opportunities for low- to moderate-income residents throughout Tennessee's Appalachian areas. The department's administrative role encompasses coordination of multifaceted development strategies, technical assistance provision, and management of subrecipient networks spanning local governments and nonprofit organizations. This award complements TDECD's ongoing implementation of multiple ARC project grants supporting entrepreneurship, workforce training, and regional economic diversification initiatives across the state.