Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) Construction RSBA
🏛 Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economic Development
✓ Free, no account · Source: Pennsylvania Grants (CODE PA) · Last verified Sep 18, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for organizations and communities in Pennsylvania's Appalachian region seeking funding for construction and infrastructure projects. The ARC Construction RSBA supports projects in education, health care, water/sewer systems, economic development, and community planning across the 13-state Appalachian region. Eligible applicants typically include local governments, nonprofits, and development organizations operating within Pennsylvania's designated Appalachian counties. Geographic eligibility is limited to the Appalachian Region as defined in ARC's authorizing legislation, which covers parts of Pennsylvania and 12 other states.
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Program description
The Appalachian Region, as defined in ARC’s authorizing legislation, is a 205,000-square-mile region that follows the spine of the Appalachian Mountains from southern New York to northern Mississippi. It includes all of West Virginia and parts of 12 other states: Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, Maryland, Mississippi, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia. Each year in Pennsylvania, ARC provides funding for numerous projects in the Appalachian Region in a wide range of program areas. The projects funded in the program areas create thousands of new jobs, improve local water and sewer systems, increase school readiness, expand access to health care, assist local communities with strategic planning and provide technical and managerial assistance to emerging businesses.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
Demographic focus
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- Application form (provided by Pennsylvania DCED)
- Project narrative and description
- Detailed project budget
- Evidence of community need
- Organization documentation (501(c)(3) status for nonprofits, government authorization for public entities)
- Letters of support or partnership agreements
FAQ
Who can apply for this grant?
Local governments, nonprofits, and community development organizations in Pennsylvania's Appalachian region typically qualify. Verify your county is in the ARC-designated Appalachian area.
What types of projects are funded?
Construction and infrastructure projects in education, healthcare, water/sewer systems, economic development, and community planning. Projects must serve the Appalachian region.
Is there a deadline for applications?
Deadlines vary by program year. Contact the Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economic Development for current funding cycles.
Do I need matching funds?
No cost sharing is required for this grant, making it accessible for under-resourced communities.
How much funding is available?
Award amounts vary by project and funding cycle. Consult the state program office for typical funding ranges and current availability.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Confirm your organization and project location fall within Pennsylvania's ARC-designated Appalachian counties before applying.
- Align your project with ARC's priority areas: infrastructure, health, education, and economic opportunity.
- Develop a clear project narrative explaining community need and measurable outcomes.
- Partner with local government and community organizations to strengthen your application.
- Budget conservatively and document all project costs; no match required but clear financials help competitiveness.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Applications from non-Appalachian counties get rejected immediately; verify county eligibility first. Vague project descriptions without measurable outcomes or community impact reduce competitiveness. Weak financial planning or unsupported cost estimates undermine credibility and funding requests.
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