Date: 10-06-2015
SOAR board approves criteria, application process for grants
Kentucky Press News Service
PRESTONSBURG – Eastern Kentucky communities will soon have a chance to apply for grants of up to $250,000 each to support work on job creation, broadband expansion, health and more.
The SOAR Executive Board approved funding criteria and an application process for the Kentucky Appalachian Regional Development (KARD) fund Monday at its meeting in Prestonsburg.
“We’re excited to see what our communities are doing to impact important community challenges like job growth and leadership training,” Jared Arnett, executive director of SOAR, said in a news release. “Successful local initiatives can be replicated, and KARD grants are a good chance for the region to see what’s working.”
The state established KARD through a $2 million appropriation during the 2015 legislative session. The seed money will support efforts that include job creation and retention, entrepreneurship, tourism, broadband deployment, workforce training, leadership development, health and wellness, infrastructure and/or economic diversity.
“SOAR is designed to support locally driven efforts to advance job development, workforce training, health access and other markers that enhance quality of life,” Gov. Steve Beshear said in the news release. “These KARD grants will give local programs a jump start toward making important community improvements.”
“The KARD fund gives SOAR the opportunity to support and invest in local projects that will create jobs and increase economic opportunities,” Congressman Hal Rogers. “This is a way for SOAR to help advance the vision of projects that will benefit the people of eastern Kentucky the most.”
KARD will be administered through the Department for Local Government. Organizations physically present in the region, such as non-profits, entities designated to represent SOAR, and counties or cities, may apply for these funds.
Priority will be given to projects that present the greatest likelihood of regional economic impact. Other criteria include:
· The unemployment level in each community where the project will be located;
· The likelihood that the project will generate future revenue for the community or Commonwealth;
· The number of new jobs and the wages to be paid;
· How much will the project benefit the economies and communities of multiple jurisdictions;
· Whether there is a funding match from the community, foundations or private sector;
· The likelihood of sustainable economic success;
· The inclusion of a strategy related to the KentuckyWired project and technology as an economic driver;
· The level of partnerships across geographies and sectors; and
· The economic impact of the downturn of the coal industry in those communities.
Organizations meeting the above criteria can apply online at www.soar-ky.org. The first round of applications are due Dec. 18. The maximum grant amount is $250,000.
