The economic development efforts of the ARPC are based on a collaborative approach that identifies issues and problems which transcend jurisdictional boundaries. The ARPC provides direct and specific assistance to public, nonprofit, and private entities in the Region to address local economic concerns. This approach is designed to create jobs, increase per capita income, expand the tax base of member local governments, and alleviate economic distress in the Apalachee Region to improve the quality of life of its citizens.  The ARPC applies for administers state and federal grants and loans on behalf of its local jurisdictions through the USDA’s Rural Development program, the U.S. Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration, the Governor’s Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development, the State Department of Community Affairs’ CDBG program, and other sources as identified to bring projects to reality.

The ARPC works with numerous local governments and economic development organizations (such as Chambers of Commerce) to identify funding opportunities for the provision of infrastructure to industrial and commercial sites to support small business development. Furthermore, enabled by the U.S. Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration's, (EDA) designation of the Region as an Economic Development District, the ARPC provides technical assistance to local governments in the form of economic analyses, staff support, leadership training and development, research, federal grant and loan preparation, strategic plans development, and other related activities.  New administrative requirements of the EDA mandate that our expenditures of EDA supporting funds be specifically targeted toward projects identified in the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy, or CEDS.  The CEDS was updated in 2007 as a part of a multi-jurisdictional nine month process which re-evaluated the region’s economic health and options and proposed specific target programs to broaden the region’s economic base, bring employment to rural areas, and strengthen existing business.