Workforce & Economic Development
Our organization is designated by the U.S. Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) as the Local Development District (LDD). We are also designated by the U.S. Department of Commerce and the Economic Development Administration (EDA) as the Economic Development District (EDD). Our members play a lead role in identifying priority needs of local communities to foster economic development, to target and meet the most pressing needs, and to build community cohesion and leadership. Five years ago, we combined the Long Range Transportation Plan and Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) into one plan. The 2023 Long Range Transportation Plan & Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy can be found below.
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ARC Area Development Grant Program
The Area Development Program focuses on 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.
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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Partnerships for Regional Economic Performance (PREP) Partners
Our PREP program is designed to integrate the delivery system historically served by the following core service providers: Industrial Resource Centers (IRCs), Industrial Development Organizations (IDOs), Local Development Districts (LDDs), and Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs).
The Partnership has served over 2,000 clients in nearly 6,000 separate counseling sessions. This resulted in over $100 million dollars in increased sales and over 4,500 jobs created or retained.
Local Technical Assistance Program (LTAP)
LTAP’s mission is to share transportation knowledge, improve road maintenance and safety skills, and put research and new technology into practice at the local level. This is accomplished through free training and technical assistance.
Trainings are offered either as half-day or full-day courses. Workshop topics include: Winter Maintenance, Roadside Vegetation, etc. Customized workshops can be provided at the request of a municipality or a group of municipalities.
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Economic Workforce and Development Contacts
Director, Workforce & Economic Development
(412) 391-5590 x0302
jlasser@spcregion.org