Smithfield Township Selected for Appalachian Regional Commission Training and Funding Opportunity
READY Local Governments provides training to help local government officials better manage federal grants to maximize positive economic outcomes.
East Stroudsburg, PA, September 24, 2026 – Smithfield Township was selected for Appalachian Regional Commission‘s (ARC) READY Local Governments Training Program, which helps local government officials better identify, secure, manage and implement federally funded economic development projects to maximize positive outcomes.
Smithfield Township will be represented by Julia Heilakka, Township Manager and Jacob Pride, Chairman/Assistant Secretary in the nine-week virtual, cohort-based training program. Alongside other local government leaders from across the Appalachian Region, participants will build skills to manage the entire federal grant lifecycle, including:
- Federal Grant Funding Opportunities and Readiness
- Federal Grant Project Identification, Application Development and Submission Strategy
- Federal Grant Regulations, Administration and Compliance
- Federal Grant Financial and Risk Management
- Leveraging Federal Grants for Long-Term Success
Upon successful completion of the training program, Smithfield Township will be eligible to apply for $50,000 in funding (no-match required) to enhance organizational ability to better meet Smithfield Township’s economic needs.
“Smithfield Township is always looking for new opportunities to strengthen our community and make the most of the resources available to us,” said Township Manager Julia Heilakka and Chairman Jacob Pride. “Being selected for the READY Local Governments program gives us an opportunity to build our capacity to pursue and manage federal funding more effectively, while learning alongside communities from across Appalachia. We’re especially excited about putting that knowledge to work on projects that support Smithfield’s long-term economic and community development goals.”
###
About the Appalachian Regional Commission
The Appalachian Regional Commission is an economic development entity of the federal government and 13 state governments focusing on 423 counties across the Appalachian Region. ARC’s mission is to invest and partner to strengthen economic development in Appalachia to help the region reach its full economic potential.
