Designated as the Local Development District (LDD) by the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC), SPC plays a lead role in identifying priority needs of local communities by working to foster economic development, to target and meet the most pressing needs, and to build community unity and leadership.

SPC undertakes projects through the Area Development Program that address the five goals identified by ARC in its strategic plan.

1. Developing a knowledgeable and skilled population
2. Strengthening the Region's physical infrastructure
3. Building local and regional capacity
4. Creating a dynamic economic base
5. Fostering healthy people

SPC seeks to build such projects as education and workforce training programs, highway construction, water and sewer system construction, leadership development programs, small business start-ups and expansions, and development of healthcare resources to meet the Area Development goals.

Eligible projects:

• Technical assistance that provides basic services to enhance business development
• Industrial site development
• Local access road
• Acquisition and development of incubator facilities
• Commercial area revitalization
• Telecommunications projects that encourage education and workforce training
• Telehealth monitoring
  

SPC’s role as the LDD is key to project development and review, providing technical assistance to local project sponsors and sending priority recommendations to the state.

All area development projects must be completed in close consultation with SPC. The grants are very competitive, and require both a pre-application and extensive full application preparation and review. Pre-applications are due each year in June, and full applications by the following January.

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State & Local Partnerships

SPC is designated by the U.S. Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) as the Local Development District and by the U.S. Department of Commerce, Economic Development Administration (EDA) as the Economic Development District for Southwestern Pennsylvania. SPC members play a lead role in identifying priority needs of local communities by working with their citizens to foster economic development, to target and meet the most pressing needs, and to build community cohesion and leadership.

As the region’s Local Development District, SPC members work together through the Area Development Program to advance a wide range of projects, including education and workforce training programs; Appalachian Highway System Program projects and industrial access improvements; water and sewer system construction; leadership development programs; and development of healthcare resources to meet the Area Development goals.

SPC works with its members and organizations throughout the region to identify projects for Appalachian Regional Commission and Economic Development Administration funding programs. 

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2009 Activities

In 2009, SPC's Economic Development Strategy Committee reviewed, scored and prioritized projects, and recommended those projects to the Commission for submission to the Economic Development Administration and Appalachian Regional Commission for funding consideration.

The following projects were awarded grants from the Appalachian Regional Commission in fiscal year 2009:

• Center West Sewer System and Treatment Facility - Phase I, Washington County. This project will provide proper sanitary sewage disposal for Centerville Borough and West Brownsville, and will eliminate the existing malfunctioning on-lot sewage disposal systems and inappropriate discharge to local waterways and the Monongahela River.
• Greene County Continuity of Information Project - Greene County. This project entails installation of equipment and technology to allow for continuity of operations for essential county government
• Starpointe Business Park Access Road-- Washington County. This project involves the construction of a 4,300 linear foot access road in Starpointe Business Park located in Hanover Township, Washington County. The road will connect other infrastructure expansions and aid in the development of 90 acres of padready sites.
• Regional Priorities-Regional Projects. SPC's Intergovernmental Affairs Committee works to establish regional priorities to be considered by the region's Congressional Delegation during the Federal Appropriations process. In 2009, the Intergovernmental Affairs Committee reevaluated the process used to develop the Regional Priority Project Book in an effort to enhance its importance and efficacy. SPC Members selected the highest priority projects in the categories of Aviation, Broadband, Community Development, Economic Development, Highway/Bridge, Transit and Water/Sewer for inclusion in the FY 2011 Regional Priority Project Book.

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For more information about the Appalachian Regional Commission Area Development Program, contact Jill Byers at (412) 391-5590 x343 or e-mail ARC@spcregion.org.

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