The tightening of the federal budget has made the competition for grants more challenging than ever. But the Appalachian Regional Commission isn”t about to let counties in its service area miss out due to a lack of knowledge.
The ARC hosted a workshop Wednesday at the Hunter Henry Center on the Mississippi State University campus aimed at helping local municipalities and economic development agencies sharpen their grant seeking and application writing skills.
Several ARC representatives, including the agency”s chief of staff and federal co-chair, were on hand in addition to representatives from multiple federal departments in Washington which will have grant money available in the coming year. Guest speakers were on hand from the U.S. Department of Education, the Department of Labor, Housing and Urban Development and others.
Earl Gohl, federal co-chair for the ARC, said the D.C. representatives were on hand not only to explain what grants are available and how those agencies prefer grant applications to be structured, but to provide a contact and put a face with a name for future applicants.
“The idea is it”s more important for federal agencies to talk to folks and reach out so (applicants) are more competitive,” said Gohl. “The impetus is President Obama instructed federal agencies that it”s important for us to work together because there are fewer resources.”
The ARC, which services counties in 13 states from Mississippi to New York, will hold similar workshops next month in Corning, NY., and Pikeville, Ky.
Following opening statements by ARC representatives, Wednesday”s workshop was split into three seminars: Workforce Development, Infrastructure and Small Business Development.
Jon Maynard, president of the Greater Starkville Development Partnership, attended the Infrastructure seminar. There, representatives from HUD, the U.S. Department of Agriculture”s Rural Development Authority and the U.S. Economic Development Administration highlighted their government programs. However, as Maynard pointed out, none of those funds are available now because the federal government is operating under a continuing resolution until a budget is in place.
“Once they”re funded, they said they”ll act on the applications,” said Maynard.
The workshop was more of a refresher than a lesson for Maynard, who attends ARC workshops on an annual basis. But he said Wednesday”s workshop was much larger than most.
Former lieutenant governor and current MSU Director of Campus Operations Amy Tuck said the workshop is especially important for those agencies forced to rely more on grants due to budget cuts.
“It”s an opportunity to see those individuals from Washington and a great chance to network. Once you get to know them, not only today, but tomorrow and in the future, it”s good to have contacts when you have needs in your area,” she said.
Jason Browne was previously a reporter for The Dispatch.
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