Earlier this week Gov. Sonny Perdue announced 19 grant awards from the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC).These grants are awarded to cities, counties and community groups in the Appalachian Region who have met the community improvement requirements set by the ARC.

“This program creates new opportunities for Georgia residents by improving the quality of life in the northeastern region of our state,” said Perdue. “This 13-state ARC partnership helps local communities compete at the national and global level.”

The Commission is a partnership of the governors of the 13 Appalachian States and a presidential appointee representing the federal government. The program encourages grassroots participation. Potential applicants are encouraged to work through the six Regional Development Centers in North Georgia to develop projects.

Among these programs will be a $40,000 grant to support the Wake Up substance abuse program.

Recipients include communities from Bartow, Gordon, Habersham, Hall, Hart, Lumpkin, Jackson, Pickens and Polk counties.

There are four goal areas that potential projects should relate to including increased job opportunities and per capita income in the Appalachian region, strengthen the region’s capacity to compete in the global economy, develop and improve infrastructure to make the region economically competitive and build the Appalachian Development Highway System to reduce Appalachia's isolation.

Potential projects must be consistent with the priorities identified in the Governor's annual Strategy Statement and should contribute to an economic development strategy.

The program provides matching grants to the 37-county Appalachian region of Georgia. The matching requirements vary from each county depending upon its economic status. Final approval on all projects comes from the Appalachian Regional Commission in Washington, D.C.

For more information on ARC, please visit www.arc.gov.