ARC selects Carroll for READY Local Government initiative

WASHINGTON, D.C. — On April 18, the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) announced Carroll County was one of 90 local government entities, representing 12 Appalachian states, selected to participate in READY Local Governments. One of four tailored tracks under ARC’s capacity-building initiative, READY Appalachia, READY Local Governments is designed to help participants leverage federal funding opportunities and create lasting, positive change in their communities.

"This is an exciting announcement for Carroll County and Southwest Virginia. This program will provide the necessary training and resources to ensure our communities can successfully secure and maintain federal funding and grants to provide better economic opportunities for Carroll County. Carroll County's acceptance into the READY program ensures our community can compete and collaborate with local governments throughout the Commonwealth," said Delegate Wren Williams.

READY Local Governments participants will participate in nine weeks of virtual, cohort-based learning to grow their skills in project identification and planning, federal grant application development, federal grant regulations and compliance, community engagement in projects, and more. “I congratulate Carroll County on its acceptance into Appalachian Regional Commission’s READY Local Governments initiative,” said U.S. Representative Morgan Griffith. “The local government will be trained and equipped on best practices when applying for and receiving federal funds, thus better-serving residents of Carroll County.”

A majority of participants represent at least one of the following:

· Distressed areas and census tracts · Interagency Working Group on Coal and Power Plant Communities priority communities · Rural Partners Network Community Networks communities

· Historically underserved and marginalized populations

Following completion of the training program, participants will be eligible to apply for up to $50,000 in funding (no-match required) to implement internal capacity-building projects to help them better serve communities.

Since the launch of READY Appalachia in July 2022, ARC has provided training and funding to help the region’s Local Development Districts (LDDs) and nonprofit organizations build internal capacity to better serve their communities. Nearly $4 million has been awarded through READY LDDs and more than $1.6 million has been awarded through READY Nonprofits. Opportunities for philanthropic organizations in the Appalachian Region will be available through READY Foundations later this year.