On July 22, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina M. Raimondo announced that the Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) will implement a series of programs, collectively called Investing in America’s Communities, to equitably invest the $3 billion it received the American Rescue Plan Act. The EDA investment is the largest economic development initiative from the Department of Commerce in decades.
Investing in America’s Communities includes the six following funding opportunities:
Build Back Better Regional Challenge ($1 billion) will capitalize on American ingenuity and American workers by providing a transformational investment to regions across the country to revitalize their economies.
Good Jobs Challenge ($500 million) is designed to help get Americans back in good-paying jobs. The program will develop and strengthen regional workforce training systems and sector-based partnerships with a focus on programs targeted at women, people of color and historically underserved communities.
Economic Adjustment Assistance ($500 million) grants will help hundreds of communities across the nation plan, build, innovate, and put people back to work through projects tailored to meet local needs.
Indigenous Communities ($100 million) program will work hand-in-hand with Tribal Governments and Indigenous communities to develop and execute economic development projects they need to recover from the pandemic and build economies for the future.
Travel, Tourism and Outdoor Recreation ($750 million) program will focus on revitalizing the hard-hit travel, tourism, and outdoor recreation industries and accelerate the recovery of communities that rely on these sectors.
Statewide Planning, Research and Networks ($90 million) grants include funding for state planning efforts as well as grants to build Communities of Practice to extend technical assistance to support EDA’s work with grantees.
As part of the six programs, EDA is making a Coal Communities Commitment, allocating $300 million to ensure support for these communities as they recover from the pandemic and create new jobs and opportunities, including through the creation or expansion of a new industry sector.
Webinars July 27 and July 29
To learn more about EDA and their American Rescue Plan Funding Opportunities sign up for the webinar, EDA 101 and America Rescue Plan Overview, which will be held at 3:00 p.m. on July 27 and July 29.
For More Information
For more information, visit www.eda.gov/ARPA for the latest news on EDA’s implementation plans. You may view the fact sheet regarding the Investing in America’s Communities opportunities HERE. At Buckeye Hills Regional Council, you are also welcome to contact Sam Miller, Development Director at smiller@buckeyehills.org or Madelyn Brewer, Development Specialist, at mbrewer@buckeyehills.org.