Workforce Opportunity for Rural Communities (WORC)

The U.S. Department of Labor, in partnership with the Appalachian Regional Commission and the Delta Regional Authority announced on April 22, 2021, the availability of a third round of funding for the Workforce Opportunity for Rural Communities (WORC): A Grant Initiative for the Appalachian and Delta Region grants to be awarded through a competitive process. The document is hereby amended as follows: Section IV. B. 3. a) ii. 3. - Strategic Alignment The ARC State plan website address is deleted and replaced with the following: 3. The relevant ARC or DRA State plans: Applicants must demonstrate how their proposed project aligns with the ARC or DRA state plan. • ARC State plan: https://www.arc.gov/state-plans-strategies/ • DRA State plan: https://dra.gov/funding-programs-states-economicdevelopment/strategic-economic-development-plans-by-state/ -

This Announcement solicits applications for the WORC Initiative for grants serving the Appalachian and Delta regions. The purpose of this program is to demonstrate the alignment of regionally driven, comprehensive approaches to addressing economic distress and the necessary workforce development activities to ensure dislocated and other workers in the regions are capable of succeeding in current and future job opportunities. Successful long-term economic growth strategies build upon bottom-up, community-led plans that promote economic resilience and maximize regional strengths. The WORC Initiative grants take a long-term view toward assisting eligible communities, including those energy communities that currently or historically have had a high concentration of employment in energy extraction and related industries, in diversifying their economies by investing in developing a skilled workforce through training and other approaches that aligns with local strategies developed by regional partners. This long-term view also acknowledges the impact of the opioid crisis and the significant challenges it presents to a community's workforce. To address these challenges, ETA encourages applicants to include within their applications strategies to address the employment and training needs of individuals affected by substance use disorder in their communities.

The U.S. Department of Labor, in partnership with the Appalachian Regional Commission and the Delta Regional Authority announced on April 22, 2021, the availability of a third round of funding for the Workforce Opportunity for Rural Communities (WORC): A Grant Initiative for the Appalachian and Delta Region grants to be awarded through a competitive process. The document is hereby amended as follows: Section III.A - Eligible Applicants Section III.A is deleted and replaced with the following: The following organizations are eligible to apply: • State Government • County Government • City or Township Government • State or Local Workforce Development Board • Special District Government • Regional Organization • Independent School District • Public/State Controlled Institution of Higher Education • Indian/Native American Tribal Government (federally recognized) • Indian/Native American Tribal Government (other than federally recognized) • Indian/Native American Tribally Designated Organization • Public/Indian Housing • Nonprofit Organization with IRS 501(c)(3) Status, including labor unions or labor management partnerships • Nonprofit Organization without IRS 501(c)(3) Status, including labor unions or labor management partnerships • Private Institution of Higher Education • Hispanic-serving Institution • Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) • Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs) FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, CONTACT: Diane Easterling, Grants Management Specialist, Office of Grants Management, at Easterling.diane@dol.gov. Signed April 28, 2021 in Washington, D.C. by: Jenifer McEnery Grant Officer, Employment and Training Administration -

This Announcement solicits applications for the WORC Initiative for grants serving the Appalachian and Delta regions. The purpose of this program is to demonstrate the alignment of regionally driven, comprehensive approaches to addressing economic distress and the necessary workforce development activities to ensure dislocated and other workers in the regions are capable of succeeding in current and future job opportunities. Successful long-term economic growth strategies build upon bottom-up, community-led plans that promote economic resilience and maximize regional strengths. The WORC Initiative grants take a long-term view toward assisting eligible communities, including those energy communities that currently or historically have had a high concentration of employment in energy extraction and related industries, in diversifying their economies by investing in developing a skilled workforce through training and other approaches that aligns with local strategies developed by regional partners. This long-term view also acknowledges the impact of the opioid crisis and the significant challenges it presents to a community's workforce. To address these challenges, ETA encourages applicants to include within their applications strategies to address the employment and training needs of individuals affected by substance use disorder in their communities.

This Announcement solicits applications for the WORC Initiative for grants serving the Appalachian and Delta regions. The purpose of this program is to demonstrate the alignment of regionally driven, comprehensive approaches to addressing economic distress and the necessary workforce development activities to ensure dislocated and other workers in the regions are capable of succeeding in current and future job opportunities. Successful long-term economic growth strategies build upon bottom-up, community-led plans that promote economic resilience and maximize regional strengths. The WORC Initiative grants take a long-term view toward assisting eligible communities, including those energy communities that currently or historically have had a high concentration of employment in energy extraction and related industries, in diversifying their economies by investing in developing a skilled workforce through training and other approaches that aligns with local strategies developed by regional partners. This long-term view also acknowledges the impact of the opioid crisis and the significant challenges it presents to a community's workforce. To address these challenges, ETA encourages applicants to include within their applications strategies to address the employment and training needs of individuals affected by substance use disorder in their communities.