U.S. Department of Commerce Announces Strong Response to the Good Jobs Challenge, Demonstrating Applicants’ Commitment to Creating New Opportunities for America’s Workforce
509 Applications Received from Partnerships across all States, Territories and the
WASHINGTON – Today, the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) announced that it has received 509 applications for its American Rescue Plan Good Jobs Challenge program. Applicants represent significant interest from a diverse range of stakeholders in communities across America: EDA received applications from partnerships in all States, territories and the District of Columbia, and applicant partnerships are comprised of State, local and Tribal governments, Institutions of Higher Education, non-profit organizations, and organized labor. Together, these applicants demonstrate a strong commitment to supporting underserved communities and groups with barriers to employment. The high interest in the program shows the need for workforce development opportunities for communities, workers, and businesses across the country.
Click here for the full list of applicants. (PDF)
The Good Jobs Challenge is designed to help get Americans back to work by developing holistic regional workforce systems with strong sectoral and employer partnerships that will lead to good-paying jobs.
This $500 million EDA investment will build and strengthen workforce systems and industry partnerships, providing new opportunities for America’s workforce to develop in-demand skills that lead to good-paying jobs in high-demand fields. By making equity a top priority and investing in wraparound services, this investment is focused on removing barriers to training, particularly for those workers hit hardest by the pandemic, including women and people of color. EDA anticipates making approximately 25 to 50 awards.
“The Biden Administration is committed to developing employer-driven partnerships that respond to the talent and training needs of companies across the country while also leading to good-paying jobs for the American people,” said Secretary of Commerce Gina M. Raimondo. “The Good Jobs Challenge will connect workforce training programs with industries and businesses to create a pipeline of skilled workers and help remove barriers for Americans to access good-paying jobs through training and wrap-around services.”
“The Good Jobs Challenge is designed to build up a strong workforce, which will lead to a stronger economy,” said Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Alejandra Y. Castillo. “The applicants represent hundreds of local partnerships dedicated to working together to create new opportunities and pathways towards financial security to lift up American workers with training and support that leads to good-paying jobs.”
To find a list of applicants and to read Assistant Secretary Alejandra Y. Castillo’s letter to them, please click here.
On July 22, 2021, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina M. Raimondo announced that EDA began implementing a series of programs, collectively called Investing in America’s Communities, to equitably invest the $3 billion it received from President Biden’s American Rescue Plan Act to help communities across the country build back better. The American Rescue Plan EDA investment is the largest economic development initiative from the U.S. Department of Commerce in decades.
About the U.S. Economic Development Administration (www.eda.gov)
The mission of the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) is to lead the federal economic development agenda by promoting competitiveness and preparing the nation's regions for growth and success in the worldwide economy. An agency within the U.S. Department of Commerce, EDA invests in communities and supports regional collaboration in order to create jobs for U.S. workers, promote American innovation, and accelerate long-term sustainable economic growth.