ARC is a regional economic development agency and a partnership of federal, state, and local government. Congress established ARC, which is composed of 13 Appalachian states. Multi-county local development districts, such as NTRPDC, provide the local participation and assist in preparing projects for ARC funding.

ARC funds projects that address the five goals identified in the Commission’s strategic plan:

1. Building Appalachian Businesses. Investments in entrepreneurship and home-grown business development helps communities build sustainable, diverse economies.
2. Building Appalachia’s Workforce Ecosystem. Expanding and strengthening community systems, including education, healthcare, housing, and childcare, will help Appalachians obtain a job, stay on the job, and advance their careers.
3. Building Appalachia’s Infrastructure. Access to reliable and affordable utilities and infrastructure ensure that Appalachia’s residents can successfully live and work in the Region.
4. Building Regional Culture and Tourism. Preserving and investing in the Region’s local, cultural heritage, and natural assets will strengthen Appalachia’s economic potential.
5. Building Community Leaders and Capacity. Investing in the capacity of local leaders, organizations, and communities to address local challenges will strengthen the Region’s economic prosperity.

Eligible Applicants: State and local agencies and governmental entities, local governing boards, nonprofit organizations, Native American tribal governments, and higher education institutions. Individuals and for-profit entities are not eligible. 

Match Requirements: Most ARC grants require a 50:50 match in Pennsylvania, with the exception of access road projects. 

Application Requirements: Active registration in SAM.gov and application materials as outlined on the ARC.gov website.

NTRPDC gathers information on potential projects for the upcoming fiscal year in the early spring each year. The NTRPDC Economic Development Advisory Committee reviews submitted projects each summer before they are sent to ARC state program staff for further discussion and examination for funding.  

Northern Tier Regional Planning and Development Commission is Seeking Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) Projects for FY26.

For more information regarding this year’s solicitation for pre-applications, please visit the following link. NTRPDC Calling for ARC Projects FY26

Please contact Katie Smith, Economic Development Program Manager for more details.

Eligible Projects: DCED has a broad range of programs covering projects such as: broadband initiatives, site development including acquisition and construction, water and sewer, greenways and trails, transportation, and tax credit initiatives.

Please contact Katie Smith, Economic Development Program Manager for more details.

Eligible Projects: Financing and grant opportunities for clean energy vehicles and transportation, pollution prevention, energy efficiency, watershed restoration, and more.

Please contact Katie Smith, Economic Development Program Manager for more details.

The US Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration is an economic development-focused federal agency, devoted solely to assisting communities throughout the United States in pursuing economic development. NTRPDC staff, as local economic development officials, work directly with EDA to discuss projects and prepare grant applications that are well-defined and are linked to sustainable economic development strategies. All projects must support the Northern Tier Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS). The CEDS is updated with minor changes each year, and a more comprehensive, region-wide update is completed every 5 years.

EDA encourages projects that foster innovation and regional collaboration to help address evolving economic conditions throughout the country. 

Eligible Applicants: Private or public non-profit organizations, higher education institutions; local units of government (county, city, township); municipal authorities; Native American tribal governments.

Eligible Projects: Infrastructure; education; healthcare; specialized feasibility or planning studies; industrial/business park site development; downtown revitalization; and others that support the initiatives in the Northern Tier regional CEDS plan. 

Please contact Katie Smith, Economic Development Program Manager for more details.

Eligible Projects: Financing and grant opportunities available for energy efficiency, renewable energy, community facilities, water and wastewater.

Please contact Katie Smith, Economic Development Program Manger for more details.

Other grant and public financing opportunities are open at various times during the year. Please contact  Katie Smith, Economic Development Program Manager to discuss options. 

PennVEST

Eligible Projects: Financing for drinking and wastewater projects; examples may include construction, improvement, extension, expansion, repair or rehabilitation of wastewater collection, treatment or disposal facilities, storm water management, nonpoint source pollution controls.

Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR)

Eligible Projects: Rehabilitation and development of public parks, recreation facilities, greenways, and river conservation projects; planning projects “lay the groundwork” for future land acquisition, development, and/or management of parks, recreational facilities, critical habitat, open space, natural areas, greenways, and river/watershed corridors; and others.

Susquehanna County Marcellus Fund Mini-Grants – Currently Closed

Eligible Applicants: Non-profit organizations with tax-exempt status 501(c)(3)

Eligible Projects: Acquisition, development and repair of greenways, recreation trails, open space, natural areas, community conservation and beautification projects, community and heritage parks and water resource management

Click here to learn more.

Endless Mountains Visitors Bureau Room Tax Grants – Currently Closed

Eligible Applicants: Be a bona fide, officially recognized not-for-profit organization (501c-3 or 501c-6) or a branch of local or county government who have at least one year of audited financial reports and have a proven positive record of advertising to bring patrons and audience members from beyond a 50 mile radius

Eligible Projects: Special events or exhibits; marketing and promotional projects; historical preservation projects; wayfinding aides 

Click here to learn more.

Bradford County Tourism Promotion Agency Room Tax Grants – Currently Closed

Eligible Applicants: The applicant must be a bona fide, officially recognized not-for-profit organization (and provide proof through copy of your most recent 501c-3 or 501c-6 Certification/Designation Letter).

Eligible Projects: Special events or exhibits; marketing and promotional projects; historical preservation projects; wayfinding aides 

Click here to learn more.

Endless Mountains Heritage Region Partnership Grants – Currently Closed

Eligible Applicants: The applicant must be a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, a municipality or municipal agency, or a public education institution within the counties of Bradford, Sullivan, Susquehanna and Wyoming.

Eligible Projects: Historic preservation, outdoor recreation development, special purpose studies, interpretive and way finding signage, public engagement and educational programming, building rehabilitation projects, environmental conservation and more.

Click here to learn more.