COLUMBUS, Ohio – Local governments across Ohio’s 32-county Appalachian region can now apply for the Appalachian Regional Commission’s 2026 Ready Local Governments training and grant program.
The nine-week virtual course helps communities’ leaders build the skills needed to identify, secure and manage federal grants that support local economic development projects.
“Communities with the right tools and knowledge are better positioned to compete for the resources they need to grow,” said Lydia Mihalik, director of the Ohio Department of Development. “The Ready Local Governments program helps local leaders build that capacity, giving them the confidence and skills to pursue funding that can make a lasting difference in their communities.”
Eligible organizations include cities, counties, municipalities, towns, townships and federally recognized tribes in Ohio’s Appalachian region. Each organization must designate two participants and submit a letter of support from organizational leadership, along with information about its organizational structure, current capacity challenges and alignment with ARC’s investment priorities.
Training sessions will include a review of the federal grant cycle, grant submission strategies, guidance for grant management and how to carry projects past the end of a grant cycle and into the future.
“There are many funding sources for development projects, but they’re only useful if people know how to access them,” said John Carey, director of the Governor’s Office of Appalachia. “This program can help our local partners build confidence and navigate through the sometimes-cumbersome process of finding resources to support their community’s goals.”
Participants who successfully complete the program will be eligible to apply for a grant of up to $50,000 from ARC, no matching funds required, to address capacity issues within their organization.
For more information, including how to apply, visit the program guide. Applications for the program must be received by 5 p.m. July 31. Award announcements will occur in September. Questions about the program can be emailed to Ready@arc.gov.