​​The Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) is a regional economic development agency that represents a partnership of federal, state, and local government.  Local participation is provided through multi-county local development districts (LDDs).  Southern Tier West is this Region's Local Development District and if your project idea or program concept serves the counties of Allegany, Cattaraugus, or Chautauqua, you are welcome to work with the team at Southern Tier West to develop your Area Wide Development Program application.  The team will assist applicants with questions about program development, partners, grant writing, match and support requirements and budget.

2026 Area Development Grant Program

CONTACT

Fileve Palmer
Regional Development Specialist

[email protected]
​
(716) 945-5301 Ext. 2205

application materials

• Application Instructions
• Printable FY2026 ARC Calendar
• ARC Grant Nuts & Bolts FY2026
• Guidance & NYS Strategies
• Letter of Intent Form
• NYS ARC Region Counties and Distressed Census Tract Locations
• NYS Implementation Strategies

preapplications materials

• Budget Form (Excel format)
• Pre-app Budget
• NYS Table 3-2b ARC Project Workplan & Timeline
• Project Narrative (Word format)

final applications/forms

• Checklist for ARC Non-Construction Applications
• One-Page Summary
• Checklist for ARC Construction Applications
• Certification Form
• ARC Application Table of Contents
• Memorandum of Understanding
• NYS Self-Sufficiency
• NYS Sustainability Phased Effort

tables

• OMB SF-424 New Version
• SF 424A Budget Non-Construction
  
• SF 424B-VI.1 Non-Construction
  
• SF 424C Construction
  
• SF 242D Construction ARC
  
• Budget Format A Construction
  
• Budget Format B Construction
  
• ​Table 4.1 Funding Sources, Commitment Status, and Uses
  

Goals

• ​Economic Opportunities
  Entrepreneurial and business development strategies
  ​
  
• Ready Workforce
  Education, knowledge, skills and health or residents to work and succeed in Appalachia
  
  
• Critical Infrastructure
  Broadband, water and wastewater systems
  
  
• Building Regional Culture & Tourism
  Leveraging the Region's natural and cultural heritage assets
  
  
• Leadership & Community Capacity
  ​​Build the capacity and skills of current and next-generation leaders and organizations to innovate, collaborate, and advance community and economic development

Eligible Projects

Eligible projects must be consistent with one of ARC's Investment Goals.

​Eligible entities include incorporated non-for-profits, municipalities (towns, villages counties) and other public entities such as IDAs and educational institutions in the member counties.  Eligible maximum amount funded: $150,000.  Funds must be matched at least dollar per dollar with cash and/or in-kind goods or services depending upon the type of proposal.  Funds must be used for new activities/programs, or for an expansion of activities/programs.  Funding of existing programs is not an eligible expense.​