READY Local Governments Training Program

The READY Local Governments Training Program is administered by the Appalachian Regional Commission, a federal-state partnership established under the Appalachian Regional Development Act of 1965 to promote economic development across 423 counties in 13 states. The program is part of the broader READY Appalachia initiative, which focuses on strengthening local economies by building capacity among key community institutions. This specific offering targets local governments and is designed to improve their ability to identify, secure, manage, and implement federal grant-funded projects. The initiative prioritizes communities in economically distressed areas and those with limited organizational resources, helping them access federal funding opportunities more effectively. The primary purpose of the program is to provide a structured, cohort-based training experience that enhances participants’ knowledge across the full federal grant lifecycle. The training spans nine weeks and includes virtual sessions, assignments, and individualized consultations. Topics covered include identifying viable federal grant opportunities, developing competitive applications, understanding compliance requirements, managing awarded funds, and leveraging grants for long-term economic success. The curriculum is grounded in real-world scenarios and incorporates tools, templates, and case studies to support practical application within participating local governments. Participation in the training program is the prerequisite for eligibility to apply for subsequent grant funding. Upon successful completion of all required training components, including attendance and assignments, participating local governments may apply for a capacity-building grant of up to 50000 dollars. These funds are intended to address internal organizational needs identified during the training, such as improving grant management systems or enhancing planning capacity. While no matching funds are required, applicants may optionally include match contributions in their future grant applications. Construction-related activities are not eligible, and projects must align with ARC guidance for organization-focused capacity building. Eligibility for the training program is limited to local government entities within the Appalachian Region, including boroughs, cities, counties, municipalities, parishes, towns, townships, and federally recognized tribal governments. Applicants must submit a letter from their highest-ranking official confirming commitment to the program and participation requirements. Each selected entity must designate two participants who will attend all sessions and consultations. Entities that previously participated in the program are not eligible to reapply. The program emphasizes inclusion of underserved and resource-constrained communities, particularly those that have not previously engaged with ARC funding opportunities. The application process is conducted through an online portal and includes multiple sections such as an eligibility quiz, organizational information, needs assessment, community impact, participant details, and certification. Applications opened on June 25, 2026, and must be submitted by July 31, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time. A pre-application webinar is offered to guide applicants through the process. Applications are reviewed competitively based on criteria including organizational need, alignment with ARC priorities, and potential benefit from training. Selected participants are notified in early September 2026, and the training begins later that month. Following the training program, eligible participants may apply for grant funding in early 2027, with awards expected by summer 2027. The grant application process is separate and limited to those who complete the training requirements. ARC evaluates grant applications independently based on compliance, project feasibility, and alignment with investment priorities. Throughout both phases, ARC provides support through training instructors and administrative contacts, with inquiries directed to READY@arc.gov. The program represents a structured pathway for local governments to build internal capacity and compete more effectively for federal funding opportunities.

Focus on clearly demonstrating organizational need, alignment with ARC investment priorities, and commitment to full participation; emphasize capacity gaps and how training will address them