August 06, 2024

New Dems Celebrate $184 Million Funding Announcement for Six Recompete Program Awardees

New Dems were the original champions of Rep. Kilmer’s legislation and celebrate this major milestone

Yesterday, the Economic Development Administration (EDA) announced $184 million in implementation grants for six Distressed Area Recompete Pilot (Recompete) program finalists. Originally authored by NDC Vice Chair for Policy Derek Kilmer (WA-06), the $200 million Recompete Program will help revitalize persistently distressed and disadvantaged communities across the country by investing in economic and workforce development.

The six awardees, representing historically overlooked communities with significantly below average employment rates, were selected from an unprecedented 565 applications for the program – the most ever received for an EDA national competition. The six awardees will receive implementation grants of up to $40 million to invest in their communities, create jobs, and help foster long-term economic prosperity.

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 issued the following statements on the announcement:

“New Dems are committed to empowering every community with the tools they need to create high-quality jobs, long-term growth, and economic prosperity,” said New Dem Chair Annie Kuster. “For too long, many communities across the country – including the six communities awarded today – were left behind as our national economy boomed. With the Recompete Program, the federal government has the opportunity to right those wrongs and deliver the locally-driven investments needed to rebuild economic opportunity. New Dems are grateful to Vice Chair Kilmer for the vision and leadership that made this possible, and we will continue to fight to ensure every community reaches its full potential.”

“I grew up in Port Angeles and was in high school right around the time the timber industry took it on the chin. I saw a lot of folks in our region lose their livelihoods. It had a big impact on me. It’s why I studied economic development policy in college and grad school. It’s why I worked in economic development, and it’s why I ran for office. And it’s why I drafted the RECOMPETE Act,” said Vice Chair Derek Kilmer. “Honestly, I’ve spent most of my adult life trying to figure out how to make sure we are doing a better job of protecting workers and communities so that no one gets left behind in our society and economy. 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.”

See below for a list of the six Recompete Program awardees:

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