WHY CHOOSE US?

You'll Get There Faster

With AMS on your side and our Fast-track project approach - Environmental reviews won't slow you down.
Put our deep knowledge and expertise to work on your Appalachian Regional Commission grants.

With AMS on your side and ourFast-track project approach - Environmental reviews won't
slow you down.
Put our deep knowledge and expertise to work on your Appalachian Regional Commission grants.

Experience

AMS brings over 30 years of combined expertise in contract oversight & technical guidance, ensuring grant compliance with all regulations.

Projects

Our team has completed over 900 successful projects, helping the grantee to successfully navigate the complex federal compliance process.

Service

AMS currently holds contracts with AL, NC, MS, NY, OH, PA, TN, and WV—offering a unique grant administration service unmatched by any other firm.

OUR PHILOSOPHY

Get it Right Because it Matters

We believe the shortest path to success is to do it right the first time, pay attention to detail and always remember that what we do makes a difference in people’s lives.

MEET OUR TEAM

Experts Behind Your Success

Our team is composed of experienced professionals who are passionate about driving digital transformation and innovation. Each member brings unique skills and expertise, working together to deliver exceptional results for our clients.

Philip McMullan

Managing Partner, Program Manager

With 30+ years in economic development, including 16 administering ARC grants, Philip specializes in federal compliance, contract management, and payments, leveraging $800M+ in investment and supporting 14,000 jobs.

Bill Zotto

Partner, Technical Operations

With 28+ years in life safety and building codes, Bill conducts 60+ annual ARC environmental reviews, ensuring compliance with federal and state regulations. He also reviews engineering plans, bid tabs, and award recommendations.

Kathy Price

Technical Consultant

Kathy Price, Principal of Kathy Price Consulting, provides economic development services to rural communities. At AMS, she supports grant recipients with contracting, payments, scope changes, and closeouts, leveraging decades of experience in economic growth.

Charles E. Shoopman, Jr.

Project Consultant

With 40 years of leadership at TVA and UT, Chuck Shoopman excels in policy, economic development, and efficiency. At AMS, he supports Mississippi grant recipients with project implementation and on-site ARC grant monitoring.

Dale Raines

Title

A Kent State graduate in Business Education, he spent 20 years as Zanesville’s Budget and Finance Director. At AMS, he applies his financial expertise to support community development. He resides in Zanesville with his wife.

Meg Deedrick

Title

An Ohio Northern graduate, she has 34 years in community development, specializing in grants and economic development. At AMS, she applies experience from United Way and Zanesville’s Community Development Department. She lives in Zanesville with her husband.

OUR EXPERTISE AND SERVICES

Technical Expertise and Federal Compliance Solutions

Depend on Experience

Serving as a Basic Agency requires technical and financial expertise to ensure all required federal guidelines are met. When you need help with ARC grant administration, depend on AMS, and put our deep experience, proven track record and detailed knowledge to work for you.

20 years of ARC grant administration experience

Well established relationships with ARC program staff, grantees, LDD’s and engineers

Developed proven procedures and processes that adhere to all state and federal guidelines

Environmental Reviews

AMS offers a proven NEPA environmental review process that reduces the costs and administrative burden of completing reviews, shortens the environmental review period, and ensures environmental protection and compliance with NEPA and other federal regulations.

We offer Preliminary Environmental Assessments to help you get started

Streamlined NEPA Reviews that keep you moving forward, faster

Life-cycle Support - We coordinate the process from initiation to close

Efficient and effective - Reduce your costs with shorter review periods

Federal Compliance

Step by step, AMS staff take grantees thru the complex process of compliance with all applicable Federal Laws and Regulations. AMS helps grantees avoid many common pitfalls in this important part of the grant administration process.

Environmental and Engineering Reviews that are done carefully and completely

Guidance and assistance with federal procurement, wage rate compliance, and payment processing.

Grant Close-out Process to State Appalachian Regional Commission standards

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Core Basic Agency Functions

AMS serves as a critical partner for ARC grant administration, providing essential support as an Admin Agent, Compliance Monitor, and Fiscal Agent. These core functions ensure seamless project management, strict adherence to federal regulations, and accurate financial oversight to drive successful outcomes.

Admin Agent

AMS ensures accountability by issuing agency letters, notices, and certifications, along with timely BAMR updates to streamline processes and keep projects on track.

Provide basic agency letters

Offer NTP and other notices

Certify project completion level

Provide annual project status report (BAMR)

Compliance Monitor

AMS ensures compliance with NEPA, Davis-Bacon, and other regulations, helping grantees meet strict requirements in the Construction Assurances, Grant Agreement, and ARC Admin Manual.

Oversee NEPA environmental review

Monitor compliance with Davis-Bacon, other federal laws

Others – see Construction Assurances, Grant Agreement, ARC Grant Admin Manual

Fiscal Agent

AMS ensures ARC funds are accurately allocated, disbursed, and unspent funds returned, maintaining fiscal integrity throughout the project.

Receive ARC funds on behalf of grantee

Disburse payments on a project completion basis

Return any unspent ARC funds

OUR WORKFLOW

How We Work:
From Concept to Completion

AMS provides a 10-step process that will enable grantees to successfully complete an

Appalachian Regional Commission grant through Development.

STEP 1

ARC Award Notification & Contract

Execute ARC Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)

Receive Email from ARC

Setup ARCNET Account (if needed)

Electronically Sign ARC MOU

Receive E-mail from ARC with Executed MOU

STEP 2

Execute State Contract & Financial Forms

Receive, Complete and Return State Contract and Certification Forms

AMS Intro Email

State Contract Received and Returned

Executed State Contract Received

Kickoff Meeting with AMS

STEP 3

AMS Project Schedule & Contact Form

Return Completed AMS Project Schedule form

Step 4

Environmental
Review Process

Receive Environmental Review Notice

Email Required Environmental Docs to AMS

Receive Proceed with Design Notice

FAQ

Your Questions, Answered

How can AMS help me navigate the ARC grant process?

AMS specializes in guiding grantees through the complex ARC grant process, ensuring compliance with federal requirements. We assist with everything from preliminary environmental reviews and project scheduling to financial oversight and grant closeout, providing step-by-step support every step of the way.

What is NEPA, and how does AMS assist with environmental compliance?

The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requires federal grant projects to meet specific environmental standards. AMS offers streamlined NEPA reviews to reduce administrative burdens, shorten review timelines, and ensure full compliance with environmental laws, keeping your project on track.

What documentation does AMS require to begin the grant process?

To start, AMS needs basic project information, including your grant agreement, project scope, and any initial environmental or financial documents. Our team will work with you to gather additional requirements as needed, such as engineering plans, budget details, and compliance checklists.

How does AMS ensure compliance with federal laws like Davis-Bacon and ARC guidelines?

AMS provides comprehensive compliance monitoring, including reviewing wage rates, bid processes, and project documentation. Our team helps you avoid common pitfalls by staying aligned with Davis-Bacon regulations, ARC Grant Administration guidelines, and other federal standards.

How can AMS help me navigate the ARC grant process?

What is NEPA, and how does AMS assist with environmental compliance?

What documentation does AMS require to begin the grant process?

How does AMS ensure compliance with federal laws like Davis-Bacon and ARC guidelines?

Let's Talk

We'd love to learn more about you and

what we can design and build together.

We'd love to learn more about you and what we can design and build together.

Covering the 13 state appalachian region from Mississippi to New York

123 Innovation Drive, Suite 500,

Tech City, TX 75001

bill@appalachianms.com

phil@appalachianms.com

Expert Grant
Administration.

Expert Grant
Administration.

Expert Grant
Administration.

You'll Get There Faster

Get it Right Because it Matters