Part B · Startup-relevant scheme
Appalachian Regional Commission Entrepreneurship & Business Development Grants (ARC Grants)
Appalachian Regional Commission
Grant
IdeationSeed / Early-Stage
ARC funds regional economic-development projects across the Appalachian region defined by the 1965 Appalachian Regional Development Act, with entrepreneurship and business development as one of its core investment priorities alongside infrastructure and workforce.
Type of support
Grant
Best suited for
Ideation / Early-Stage (regional ecosystem)
Headline amount
Varies by grant program
Objectives
Drive large-scale, often multi-state economic transformation in a historically underinvested region — from the flagship ARISE initiative to the Appalachian Entrepreneurship Academy for emerging founders and ecosystem leaders.
Who can apply?
- Grant applicants are state/local governments, local development districts, tribes, higher-education institutions, and nonprofits — not individual for-profit startups.
- Project must be located within the ARC-defined Appalachian region.
What do you get?
- ARISE funds large-scale multi-state economic-transformation projects.
- Appalachian Entrepreneurship Academy develops entrepreneurial leaders and ecosystem builders.
- A founder benefits by engaging with an ARC-funded regional program in their county.
How to apply
Individual founders don't apply directly — check whether your county is in the ARC region and connect with your state's ARC-designated local development district.
Key links
Details as most recently confirmed against the official source linked above. Deadlines, amounts and windows change — verify on the official portal before applying.