The pre-application period for 2025-2026 Area Development funding from the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) opens March 24.

Applicants seeking ARC Area Development funding must submit a pre-application by April 25.

Within the scope of ARC’s strategic plan, the Area Development program invests in two key areas: critical infrastructure and business and workforce development.

Critical infrastructure investments mainly include water and wastewater systems, transportation networks, broadband, and other projects anchoring regional economic development.

Business and workforce development investments primarily focus on entrepreneurship, worker training and education, food systems, leadership, and other human capital development.

Eligible applicants include local government entities, educational institutions, and nonprofit organizations.

Buckeye Hills Regional Council will host a pre-application webinar on March 14 at 2 p.m. to provide an overview of the timeline, applicant and project eligibility, application requirements, and resources. Interested applicants are encouraged to register for the webinar at buckeyehills.org/events.

For additional information about the program, interested applicants can visit buckeyehills.org/arc or contact Emma Yeager, Development Specialist, at eyeager@buckeyehills.org.

To learn more about Buckeye Hills Regional Council, visit www.buckeyehills.org, call 740-374-9436 or 1-800-331-2644, or email info@buckeyehills.org.