The overwhelming amount of applicants from distressed communities shows the import of RECOMPETE and need for more funding
Today, the US Economic Development Administration announced 22 Finalists for Recompete Grants. The program, authorized by the Chips and Science Act, had an initial appropriation of $200 million for 2023 “Rebuilding Economies and Creating Opportunities for More People to Excel” (RECOMPETE) Grants.
For over a year, RuralOrganizing.Org and our partners pushed Congress to pass and fully fund the new RECOMPETE pilot program so that economically disadvantaged rural communities would receive additional funding to pursue homegrown jobs and economic opportunities.
The following is a statement from Annie Contractor, Government Affairs Manager for RuralOrganizing.Org:
Today, EDA announced the 22 finalists for the first phase of Distressed Area Recompete Pilot Program (Recompete) Grants and the 24 awardees for the Strategy Development Grants, totaling 31 applicants moving forward. This is a welcome development for a program that can begin to improve and empower persistently distressed communities, including rural communities.
The Economic Development Administration (EDA) received $200 million in appropriations for the 2023 awards. But, as EDA noted, there were initially 565 applications that requested more than $6 billion in funding. The millions of dollars awarded to local communities will ensure local leaders have the tools they need to create locally driven programs that create homegrown prosperity.
Of the 31 coalitions moving forward, 24 of these are receiving Strategy Development Grants, and 17 include rural communities; a geography type suffering from dramatically disproportionate levels of distress. These communities will finally have funding they can put toward locally-driven solutions based on the input from local residents.
This strong response to this program shows the needs of rural communities far exceed what is being provided. Authorizing RECOMPETE and ensuring the initial appropriation were important first steps. The overwhelming need demonstrated by the hundreds of applications shows that Congress needs to provide more resources to ensure this pilot program can be fully tested and scaled into the formula grant program it was always intended to be.
The following is a statement from Matt Hildreth, Executive Director of RuralOrganizing.Org:
Through our Campaign for Rural Progress, RuralOrganizing.Org has focused on passing policies that increase good-paying jobs and wages, decrease daily expenses, and improve the quality of life for rural communities experiencing economic distress. We appreciate the leadership of Rep. Derek Kilmer (D-WA), who sponsored this legislation, which was first authorized by the CHIPs bill.
Today’s grants are an important step in that direction. While the amount of money may not seem like a lot by inside-the-beltway standards, it can and will have a significant impact in distressed communities that need support.
Again, we encourage the House and Senate to include more RECOMPETE funding in their upcoming spending bills. It really matters.
The mission of RuralOrganizing.org is to rebuild a rural America that is empowered, thriving, and equitable. Follow us on Twitter @RuralOrganizing.
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