Appalachian regional commission (ARC)

The Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) is an economic development agency of the federal government and 13 state governments focusing on 423 counties across the Appalachian Region. ARC’s mission is to innovate, partner and invest in ways that build

community capacity and strengthen economic growth across Appalachia, helping the region achieve socioeconomic parity with the nation. ARC funding supports projects that strengthen infrastructure, workforce development and economic opportunity across Appalachian South Carolina.

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Area development program

ARC in South Carolina: Area development program

South Carolina receives approximately $2 million in ARC Area Development funding annually, which is distributed through a competitive grant process.

To be eligible, a project must benefit one or more of the seven (7) counties in Appalachian South Carolina: Anderson, Cherokee, Greenville, Oconee, Pickens, Spartanburg and Union.

Eligible applicants include:

State and local agencies
Government entities
Local governing bodies
Agribusiness operations
Non-profit organizations

Projects must address one or more of the goals identified in the Commission’s strategic plan:

Building Appalachian Businesses: investments in entrepreneurial business development strategies that strengthen the economy of Appalachia
Building Appalachia’s Workforce Ecosystem: investments in improved education, knowledge, skills and health of residents to work and succeed in Appalachia
Building Appalachia’s Infrastructure: investments in critical infrastructure that is necessary for economic development to include broadband, transportation, water and wastewater
Building Regional Culture and Tourism: investment in the region’s natural and cultural heritage assets that strengthen Appalachia’s community and economic development potential
Building Community Leaders and Capacity: investments that build the capacity and skills of current and next generation leaders and organizations to innovate, partner and advance community and economic development

Funding limits

Construction projects:             $500,000
Non-Construction projects:     $250,000
Planning projects:                   $ 50,000

Required match*

Match requirements vary based on the economic status of the counties served by the project. Counties are designated by the South Carolina Department of Revenue (SCDOR) and required local match percentages may differ accordingly.

*Additional leveraging of funds is encouraged.

Application timelines

Application timelines and deadlines vary by funding cycle. Contact the ARC State Program Manager or visit the program site for current information.

Local access road program

ARC in South Carolina: Local access road program (LAR)

Upon completion of South Carolina’s portion of the Appalachian Development Highway System (ADHS), including US Highway 25, remaining federal funds were set aside to support local access roads that facilitate economic development and maximize the investment in the ADHS.

South Carolina continues to administer remaining Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) Local Access Road (LAR) Program funding, which is allocated to eligible projects through a coordinated federal and state approval process.

LAR projects require coordination with the South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT) prior to approval.

Eligible phases include:

Preliminary engineering
Right-of-way
Construction

Funding limits

The State may approve project funding of 100% annually.

Applicants are limited to governmental entities
LAR applications may be submitted anytime throughout the year
Projects require ARC’s approval, SCDOT’s approval and FHWA’s approval
Funds flow through FHWA and the SCDOT
Projects are initiated by the State’s ARC Alternate
Projects are approved for a specified dollar amount rather than total project cost
Federal-aid highway procedures govern the project implementation
Local access road projects should be included in the State’s multi-year transportation program