On June 23, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross announced the Economic Development Administration (EDA) is now accepting applications for a grant program to assist coal-impacted communities under the FY 2017 Economic Development Assistance Program. The Assistance to Coal Communities(ACC) initiative provides funding for communities, including counties and regions that have been negatively impacted by changes in the coal economy. The ACC initiative will award up to $30 million “on a competitive basis to assist communities severely impacted by the declining use of coal through activities and programs that support economic diversification, job creation, capital investment, workforce development and re-employment opportunities.” Applicants eligible to receive the ACC 2017 funds are communities and regions that can demonstrate how changes in our nation’s coal economy have affected or will affect their local economy as it pertains to job losses and lay-offs in any coal-reliant commercial sector or sectors. Applications for the ACC 2017 funds are available online until all available funding has been exhausted.
On Tuesday, June 27 at 3:00pm EDT, EDA presented an informational webinar on the Assistance to Coal Communities 2017 initiative. To view a webinar recording and learn more about the ACC 2017 initiative, visit: www.eda.gov/coal.
