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GuidanceFor Fiscal Year 2021 Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) Area-Wide Development Investment Requests

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Southern Tier 8 is the Local Development District (LDD) for the Appalachian Regional Commission & Economic Development District (EDD) for the US Economic Development District. The Staff works with each of the county’s planning professionals & economic developers to prioritize federal investment requests across this region.

Southern Tier 8 Regional Board

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ARC's mission is to innovate, partner, and invest to build community capacity and strengtheneconomic growth in Appalachia. The Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) is a regionaleconomic development agency that represents a partnership of federal, state, and localgovernment. Established by an act of Congress in 1965, ARC is composed of the governors ofthe 13 Appalachian states and a federal co-chair, who is appointed by the president. Localparticipation is provided through multi-county Local Development Districts.

Appalachian Regional Commission

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Goal 1: Economic OpportunitiesInvest in entrepreneurial and business development strategies that strengthen Appalachia's economy.

Goal 2: Ready WorkforceIncrease the education, knowledge, skills, and health of residents to work and succeed in Appalachia.

Goal 3: Critical InfrastructureInvest in critical infrastructure—especially broadband; transportation, including the Appalachian Development Highway System; and water/wastewater systems.

Goal 4: Natural and Cultural AssetsStrengthen Appalachia's community and economic development potential by leveraging the Region's natural and cultural heritage assets.

Goal 5: Leadership and Community CapacityBuild the capacity and skills of current and next-generation leaders and organizations to innovate, collaborate, and advance community and economic development.

Review ARC’s Strategic Plan here: https://www.arc.gov/images/newsroom/publications/sp/InvestinginAppalachiasFutureARCs2016-2020StrategicPlan.pdf

ARC Goal Areas 2016-2020

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Ready Workforce & Economic Opportunities

Workforce Development• Training programs for the unemployed or underemployed• Programs that work directly to help those in recovery from any addiction

Entrepreneurship• High school, college, or community-based programs• Training or education that helps the unemployed or underemployed start businesses

Substance Use Disorder• Programs that help people in recovery to receive training, get to work, or stay in their

jobs

ARC Investment Priorities FY2021*

*current as of 3/31/2020.

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Grant funding can be used to launch a new program or expand an existing program.

Examples investments:1. Hartwick College

Craft Food & Beverage Center

2. Tioga County Dental Van

Local Examples of ARC Investments

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EligibilityNonprofits, Counties, Municipalities based in the eight-county regionPrivate sector companies are not eligible but can provide matching funds or in-kind

Maximum Program Request$150,000

Match Rate 1:1If your total project budget is $100,000, you can request $50,000 from ARCA portion of your match can be in-kind

Distress CriteriaIn our region, these areas are in the Cities of Binghamton, Cortland, Norwich, and Oneonta, and in the Villages of Endicott and Johnson City. Projects are NOT restricted to these areas, but projects that serve these communities may be ranked higher.

ARC Area-Wide Development Guidelines

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1. Alignment with Community Plans:a) The ARC Strategic Planb) New York State’s Strategy Statement

Additional: d) The Region’s Comprehensive Plan (CEDS)e) The Region’s REDC Planf) County or Local Plan

2. Secured Match (or local investment) in hand3. A strong sustainability plan

What makes a strong application?

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How does ARC define the success of their investment in yourproject? By defining Performance Measures.

Estimated performance measures are included in projectapplications and actual measures are reported in the projectcloseout reports by defining the number of people, businesses, orcommunities positively affected by your work.

What impact will your project make?

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Measuring Impact: Performance MeasuresThe goal of defining your unique performance measure(s) is to define:1. The short-term impact of ARC’s investment & 2. The long-term impact of your program/project in your community.Performance measures are defined with quantifying outputs & outcomes.

OUTPUT is the:short-term impact of ARC's investment

OUTCOME is the:long-term community impact from program or project implementation

Projects can have PAIRED &/or STAND-ALONE performance measures.OUTPUTS & OUTCOMES are unique and specific to each investment request.

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Step 1: Review the ARC Strategic Plan & NY Program Strategies document & be ready to define how your expanded program or new project supports ARC’s Investment Goals.

Step 2: Sign up for the pre-application & then review the Questions in the pre-application.

Step 3: Contact your County Planning Director as you will need a Letter of Support to submit with your pre-application (DO NOT WAIT TO GATHER YOUR LOCAL SUPPORT- REACH OUT TODAY; if your project serves multiple counties, you will need a letter of support from each County). Pre-applications without letters of support may not be reviewed.Links to County Planning Departments: Broome Chenango Cortland Delaware Otsego Schoharie Tioga Tompkins

Step 4: Review the Performance Measures document for YOUR SPECIFIC GOAL AREA & then define your project’s impact by defining your unique performance measures (See Guidance document Performance Measures )

Step 5: Complete your pre-application & submit online by 3pm MAY 20 (Southern Tier 8 staff will then reach out to the applicant for a video interview before JUNE 12)

Step 6: The Review Committee will meet on JUNE 19 to determine what applicants will be invited to submit a full application for FY2021 investments. The full application will be due by 3pm JULY 23.

Step 7: When preparing the full application, the applicant must show how the expanded program or new project supports the State’s Regional Economic Development Council; REDC Contact Info (if unsure what REDC your project serves, ask Southern Tier 8 staff )

Step 8 (only for construction projects): ARC requires construction projects to have an additional partner or “basic agency”. Often the basic agency is USDA or EDA and will require you to prepare an additional application for the “basic agency” (with approvals before ARC’s investment is engaged). Basic Agency Partners Basic Agency Grant Management

Note: All funded projects and programs are required to observe eCFR 200 Federal Regulations More Information .

The FY2021 Application Process

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Federal: ARC program staff review & Forward to ARC Federal Co-Chair Approvals

State:New York State Department of State review & Forward to New York State Secretary of State and Gubernatorial Approvals

Local:Project Review Committee & Forward to Southern Tier 8 Regional Board Approvals

How will your project be evaluated?

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May 20 3pm Pre-Application Due

May 21- June 12 Southern Tier 8 interviews applicantsJune 19 Local Review Committee selects projects ready for full applicationJune 23 Applicants notified (invitation for full application by July 23)

July 23 3pm Draft application due (invited applicants only)

September 21 Final application due with requested changes made

October 1 Southern Tier 8 Regional Board approves selected applications & sends forward to NYS Department of State

December 2020 NYS REDC Awards announced Jan-March 2021 NYS Department of State approval of applicationsMar-Sept 2021 ARC review of applications & awards to applicants

Please note: at any point in this process your project may be placed on Standby or ARC may request changes to your scope or timeline

Timeline for FY 2021 investment requests

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Start with the end in mind:

How will your project idea make an economic impact in your local community or across the region?

Do you have a match in hand?

(In the Southern Tier, ARC will pay for half of your total project costs)

How will you sustain the project?

(Additional grant money is not a sustainable solution)

If you can answer these questions, please start your pre-application today & email questions to the Regional Board staff at: contact@southerntier8.org

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