Appalachian Regional Development Act (ARDA)
POWER is a congressionally-funded initiative that targets federal resources to help communities and regions that have been affected by job losses in coal mining, coal power plant operations, and coal-related supply chain industries due to the changing economics of America's energy production. Within the POWER Initiative, 1/3 of funding is specifically available for broadband-related projects.
23.002
Discretionary
POWER runs on an annual application cycle with this year’s Letters of Intent due April 4, 2022 and Applications due April 29, 2022.
Total Amount: $65 million
Amount Available Towards Broadband (if specified): $21.6 million
Yes. 20% to 80%, determined by the economic status of project area: https://www.arc.gov/classifying-economic-distress-in-appalachiancounties/
ARC funding may be used in place of non-federal match for BEAD funding. ARPA funding may be used as match for ARC funding.
Fiber networks must deliver 100/100 Mbps service for businesses and 50/10 Mbps service for households. Fixed wireless networks must deliver 25/3 Mbps service.
Eligible recipients must be publicly owned entities, non-profit entities, or a competitively selected private partnership that includes publicly owned entities or non-profit entities.
Not Applicable
Information available on website or by contacting state ARC program manager.
Not Applicable
Information available on website or by contacting state ARC program manager.
1666 Connecticut Avenue, NW, Suite 700, Washington, DC 20009-1068
Telephone: (202) 884-7700
Email: info@arc.gov
For questions on specific topic areas, please refer to the contacts listed on the ARC
Offices and Staff page.
Projects must benefit communities that have been impacted by the downturn of the coal economy. If you have questions on eligibility, please reach out to your state ARC program manager (contact information found here: https://www.arc.gov/appalachianstates/).
March 2023