The Biden-Harris Administration, through the U.S. Department of Commerce's Economic Development Administration (EDA), has revealed the 22 finalists of the Distressed Area Recompete Pilot Program (Recompete). This program aims to support communities that have been hardest hit by economic distress and high unemployment rates, with the goal of closing the employment gap through locally-driven investments. President Biden himself will highlight this announcement during his visit to Milwaukee, where a proposal for the revitalization of Milwaukee's 30th Street Industrial Corridor has been selected as a Recompete finalist.

Authorized by the CHIPS and Science Act, Recompete is a significant component of President Biden's Investing in America agenda, which is focused on fostering long-term economic growth across the country. Under this program, $200 million will be invested in economic and workforce development projects that connect workers to good jobs in persistently distressed communities.

U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo stated, "Recompete helps fulfill President Biden's promise that no community in America will be left behind as we continue to grow our nation's economy and invest in American workers." She further highlighted the inspiring solutions presented by the Recompete finalists and grant recipients, expressing the belief that these strategies will generate job creation, economic growth, and unleash the full potential of communities that have been overlooked for far too long.

The 22 Recompete finalists are situated across 20 states and territories, representing a diverse mix of urban and rural regions. Seven of the finalists specifically focus on rural American communities, while five involve Tribal organizations as primary partners. Moreover, seven of the finalists' plans include labor organizations as part of their proposed investments.

The competition consists of two phases, and Phase 1 finalists will now have the opportunity to apply for implementation grants in Phase 2 to bring their Recompete Plans to life. The Department of Commerce has also launched the Recompete Pilot Program Phase 2 Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), which will provide investments ranging from $20-50 million to support a wide range of implementation activities across workforce development, business and entrepreneur development, infrastructure, and additional planning, predevelopment, or technical assistance.

In addition to the Phase 1 finalists, the EDA has awarded 24 Strategy Development Grants (SDG) to assist communities in enhancing local coordination and planning activities. This support aims to make selected grantees more competitive for future funding opportunities under the Recompete program.

Deputy Secretary of Commerce Don Graves emphasized President Biden's commitment to provide everyone with a fair shot at success and the importance of Recompete in creating opportunities for job growth across America. He stated, "By equitably investing in new job creation opportunities, we can help fulfill our promise that no American, and no community, is ever left behind."

The Recompete eligibility criteria extended to local and state governments, Tribal governments, non-profits, Economic Development Districts, and coalitions of these entities serving eligible geographic areas. To support applicants in determining their eligibility, the EDA, in collaboration with Argonne National Laboratory, launched the Recompete Eligibility Mapping Tool.

The Phase 1 finalists were selected from over 500 applicants representing a variety of entities, such as nonprofits, local government, economic development organizations, educational institutions, and tribal government and organizations. Together, these 22 Phase 1 finalists have brought forth nearly $800 million in preliminary funding requests, which will be fine-tuned in preparation for their Phase 2 applications.

Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development, Alejandra Y. Castillo, commended the Recompete finalists and strategy development grant recipients for their outstanding employment and job creation strategies aimed at addressing the enduring needs of their communities. She expressed the department's commitment to supporting these communities as they work towards reducing the employment gap and establishing models for long-term economic growth that can be replicated across America.

With the announcement of the Recompete finalists, the Biden-Harris Administration takes another significant step in its mission to rebuild the economy and ensure that no community is left behind. The investments made through this program have the potential to make a lasting impact on distressed areas, creating jobs, stimulating economic growth, and fostering a brighter future for communities across the nation.