The Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) is a
Federal-State partnership with programs and services delivered
at the regional level. The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a member state of the Appalachian Regional Commission..

The ARC Area Development Program provides funding for projects throughout the thirteen (13) state Appalachian Region including Northeastern Pennsylvania in support of four strategic goals:

• Increase job opportunities and per capita income in Appalachia
  to reach parity with the nation.
• Strenthen the capacity of the people of Appalachia to compete in
  the global economy.
• Develop and improve Appalachia's infrastructure to make the Region economically competitive.
• Build the Appalachian Development Highway System to reduce Appalachia's isolation.

The NEPA Alliance is the designated Local Development District for the ARC Program in Northeastern Pennsylvania. In this capacity NEPA Alliance
delivers various programs and services at a regional level and also evaluates
and ranks projects for ARC funding consideration.

• Promote a diversified regional economy through strategies that help communities create and retain businesses and jobs.
• Help communities develop an educated, skilled workforce and create access to affordable, quality health care; and
• Support the development and improvement of infrastructure, including
  water and sewer services, and the development of Internet access.

• Implement a specific strategy for addressing one of the four(4) goals in ARC's Strategic Plan.
• Demonstrate consistency with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania's
  ARC Strategy Statement and the NEPA Alliance planning document.
• Funding is generally limited to 50% of eligible project costs in the NEPA Alliance region.

• Technical Assistance that:
  1. Provide basic services to a community to enhance business development
  2. Meet criteria for immediate permanent job impact
• Industrial/Business site development
• Local Access Roads
• Commercial Area Revitalization
• Acquisition and development of incubator/accelerator facilities
• Destination based tourism
• Education
• Training
• Healthcare

1. Project Eligibility(ARC Code; Strategic Plan; PA-State Appalachian Developent Plan and CEDS)
2. Will the proejct result in job creation/retention? Does the project support private sector investment? Does it enhance the community and economic vitality of this region
3. Project Status/Other Funds:
   • Basic Agency Status (EDA, CDBG, RD etc.). Are funds committed? Has an application or Pre-Application been submitted? When will the Pre-Application be submitted?
   • Financial Commitment Status ( local/state dunds). Are these
     funds approved and in place or is there eveidence or assurance
     that such funds are available?
4. Other Factors (KOZ/KOEZ, KIZ, Distressed Area), quality of jobs supported, addresses a serious community development issue on a continuing basis.