Press Releases

Scranton, PA – U.S. Representative Matt Cartwright (PA-08) today announced a $705,477 grant to Outreach Center for Community Resources in Scranton through the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) to expand their offerings, support the region’s recovery ecosystem and meet urgent workforce development needs.

Rep. Matt Cartwright (PA08) with Outreach Executive Director Linda Ciampi as taken at the Outreach Center’s Community Celebration on Sept. 15.

The Outreach’s Workforce Ready through Recovery and Career Services project is one of 57 ARC’s Partnerships for Opportunity and Workforce and Economic Revitalization (POWER) awards across 184 coal-impacted counties receiving a total of nearly $46.4 million. This project will deliver workforce development services and partner with businesses in Lackawanna, Luzerne, Monroe, Pike, Susquehanna, Wayne, and Wyoming Counties to address current labor needs.

“Every individual, every family, deserves the opportunity to find their place and succeed in our community,” said Rep. Cartwright. “I commend the Outreach Center for their over 30 years pursuing their mission to build strong families and strong communities. I was proud to advocate on behalf of Outreach to help secure funding for this project. Bringing federal money home and to support the outstanding work being done by organizations like the Outreach Center is one of my top priorities in Congress.”

“Outreach is so grateful to receive this POWER funding from the Appalachian Regional Commission, with support from Congressman Cartwright and Senator Casey. Outreach, with our regional project partners, will expand workforce training, and connect individuals to employment at family-sustaining wages. We look forward to helping individuals achieve family stability and economic self-sufficiency by offering workforce training to individuals in need of these services. The expansion of our workforce services is made possible by this grant” said Outreach Executive Director Linda Ciampi. 

“We are honored to support the Outreach Center for Community Resources efforts to educate and advance our workforce and provide them with opportunities for personal growth at time with overwhelming staffing shortages. This grant would not be possible without Congressman Cartwright’s steadfast support of ARC and the critical funding programs that serve as a catalyst for our region’s economic growth,” said Jeffrey K. Box, President & CEO of NEPA Alliance.

The Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) was established by an act of Congress in 1965 as a regional economic development agency that represents a partnership of federal, state, and local government. Its mission is to innovate, partner, and invest to build community capacity and strengthen economic growth in the 13 states of the Appalachian region.