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.
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 boards
- Non-profit organizations (only for non-construction projects)
Projects must align with one or more of ARC’s five strategic investment priorities:
- Building Appalachian Businesses: Supporting entrepreneurship and business growth to create jobs and strengthen local and regional economies.
- Building Appalachia’s Workforce Ecosystem: Expanding training, education, healthcare, housing and childcare to help residents enter, remain in and advance in the workforce.
- Building Appalachia’s Infrastructure: Investing in infrastructure that attracts business, creates jobs and expands economic opportunity.
- Building Regional Culture and Tourism: Investing in tourism, cultural heritage and natural assets to strengthen the region’s economic potential.
- Building Community Leaders and Capacity: Helping local leaders, organizations and communities build the resources and skills needed to address local challenges.
Funding limits
| Construction projects | $1,000,000 |
| Non-construction projects | $250,000 |
| Planning projects | $60,000 |
Required match*
The Federal Commission classifies each one of Appalachia’s 423 counties within one of five economic status designations: distressed, at-risk, transitional, competitive or attainment. The designations are also used to determine the match requirements for ARC grants, as well as research topics and investment strategies targeting resources to the region’s most distressed areas. The current match requirements are as follows:
- 70% Local funds or other sources: Greenville (competitive county status)
- 50% Local funds or other sources: Anderson, Oconee, Pickens & Spartanburg (transitional county status)
- 30% Local funds or other sources: Cherokee (at-risk county status)
- 20% Local Funds or other sources: Union (distressed county status)
- Additional leveraging 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: https://www.arc.gov/
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
Deadlines
Applications can be submitted to the State Program Manager at any time throughout the year.
ARC program documents and resources
ARC forms
(Full application by invitation only)
ARC program documents
Do you have questions about ARC?
Contact the ARC State Program Manager at (803) 734-0555
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