The Local Economy Lab, an initiative of the Just Transition Fund (JTF), aims to create economic opportunity for communities most impacted by the transition away from coal. This initiative focuses on helping coal-impacted communities scale innovative, community-led economic development projects by facilitating access to public, private, and philanthropic funding sources. JTF has long supported workforce and economic transformation efforts in these areas, but due to changing federal funding landscapes, there is a pressing need for these projects to diversify their capital sources. The Local Economy Lab is the Fund’s strategic response to this need, offering substantial support to help promising projects reach broader impact.
The Lab will select five to ten economic development initiatives that demonstrate strong potential to significantly transform their local economies. Selected projects will serve as replicable models for other communities in transition. Participants will receive flexible, one-year grants ranging from $250,000 to $500,000. In addition to funding, participants will benefit from tailored technical assistance, strategic funding matchmaking with philanthropic and private sector partners, and help navigating public-sector investment opportunities. Another key benefit is access to a peer learning network and sponsored participation in the JTF National Convening.
To be eligible, applicants must be based in or serve at least one of the more than 200 coal-impacted counties across 37 states listed by JTF, or an adjacent county. Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, local governments, and Tribal governments. The selected projects must demonstrate community leadership and engagement, place-based economic approaches, and the potential to be scaled or replicated in other distressed coal communities. JTF emphasizes economic metrics like job creation, job retention, business development, and entrepreneurship support, but also encourages communities to define and track their own success indicators.
The application process is structured in two phases. Interested parties must first submit a Step 1 Application by Friday, May 9. A select group will then be invited to submit a full application, due within two to three weeks, with award announcements expected in late summer or early fall. Applicants are encouraged to attend an informational webinar on May 6 at 11 a.m. ET to learn more about the opportunity.
Example projects suitable for this opportunity include small business incubation, outdoor recreation development, advanced manufacturing, remote work enablement, and coal site reclamation. Proposals with existing private sector partners are viewed favorably. For more information or assistance, interested applicants can contact Marissa Berkley at mberkley@justtransitionfund.org.
