This Announcement solicits applications for the WORC Initiative for grants serving the Appalachian and Delta regions.

The purpose of this program is to demonstrate the alignment of regionally driven, comprehensive approaches to addressing economic distress and the necessary workforce development

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activities to ensure dislocated and other workers in the regions are capable of succeeding in current and future job opportunities.

Successful long-term economic growth strategies build upon bottom-up, community-led plans that promote economic resilience and maximize regional strengths.

The WORC Initiative grants take a long-term view toward assisting eligible communities, including those energy communities that currently or historically have had a high concentration of employment in energy extraction and related industries, in diversifying their economies by investing in developing a skilled workforce through training and other approaches that aligns with local strategies developed by regional partners.

This long-term view also acknowledges the impact of the opioid crisis and the significant challenges it presents to a community’s workforce.

To address these challenges, ETA encourages applicants to include within their applications strategies to address the employment and training needs of individuals affected by substance use disorder in their communities.