New Dem Chair Statement on Announcement of Recompete Pilot Program Finalists
Today, the Economic Development Administration (EDA) announced the 22 finalists of the Distressed Area Recompete Program (Recompete). Originally authored by Vice Chair for Policy Derek Kilmer (WA-06), the $200 million Recompete Pilot Program will help revitalize persistently distressed and disadvantaged communities across the country by investing in economic and workforce development. The 22 Recompete finalists were selected from an unprecedented 565 applications, the most ever received for an EDA national competition.
The Phase 1 finalists announced today will be invited to apply for Phase 2 implementation grants for their Recompete Plans. The implementation grants will award between $20 and $50 million for investment in workforce development, business and entrepreneur development, infrastructure, and more. For more information on the Pilot Program, click here.
Led by Vice Chair Kilmer, New Dems made establishing the Recompete Pilot Program a priority in the 117th Congress and secured its passage in the CHIPS and Science Act. New Democrat Coalition Chair Annie Kuster (NH-02) and Vice Chair Kilmer released the following statements on the announcement:
“New Dems are committed to building an economy where hardworking people in every community across the country have access to good-paying jobs and the opportunity to realize their full potential,” said New Democrat Coalition Chair Annie Kuster. “The Recompete Program can help make this a reality – its locally-driven investments will empower the hardest-hit communities to achieve long-term economic growth. New Dems are grateful to Vice Chair Kilmer for providing the vision and leadership that made Recompete possible. We look forward to advocating for the additional funding necessary to continue providing the Program’s life-changing investments.”
“Growing up on Washington state’s Olympic Peninsula, I saw a lot of folks in my community and my region lose their jobs when the timber industry took it on the chin. I’ve spent much of my adult life trying to figure out how to make sure we do a better job of protecting workers and communities so that no one gets left behind in our society and economy. That's why I ran for public office, and why I drafted the RECOMPETE Act” said Vice Chair for Policy Derek Kilmer. “Today, as we see the Recompete Pilot Program deliver investments in communities that have faced long-term economic challenges, it’s a significant milestone not just for the region I represent, but for folks who’ve seen similar economic distress in communities across America. The Recompete Pilot Program is a testament to our collective efforts to ensure every American, no matter their zip code, has access to economic opportunity. I want to extend my profound gratitude to President Biden, Secretary Raimondo, and Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Castillo, for their unwavering leadership and support in bringing this vision to life and taking steps to build an economy where no community is left behind.”
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