1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Appalachia Opportunity Grants Act of 2018 . 2. Appalachia innovation grants Subtitle D of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act ( 7 U.S.C. 1981 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following: 379I. Appalachia innovation grants (a) Definitions In this section: (1) Eligible entity The term eligible entity means a unit of local government in the region. (2) Region The term region means the Appalachian region (as defined in section 14102(a) of title 40, United States Code). (b) Grants The Secretary may award grants to eligible entities to convene groups of public and private entities to collaborate in carrying out regional projects to accomplish positive economic and community impacts in the region. (c) Collaborative groups (1) In general To be eligible to receive a grant under subsection (b), an eligible entity— (A) shall convene as part of the collaborative group representatives of each of— (i) a local economic development board or office in the region; (ii) a private company or association; and (iii) an institution of higher education (as defined in section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 1001 )) in the region; and (B) may convene as part of the collaborative group representatives of other entities (such as venture capital firms, nonprofit organizations, and philanthropic organizations) that the eligible entity determines are important to the goal of the regional project described in subsection (d)(2). (2) Referral process (A) In general The Secretary may assist in the formation of a collaborative group under paragraph (1) by establishing a referral process under which a private company or association seeking to invest in a particular area in the region is matched with an eligible entity located in that area. (B) Database of potential investors In carrying out subparagraph (A), the Secretary may— (i) establish and maintain a database of private companies and associations seeking to invest in the region