U.S. Department of Commerce Invests Approximately $51.4 Million to Strengthen Aerospace Production in Southern Kansas Through American Rescue Plan Regional Challenge

WASHINGTON – Today, President Biden will announce the South Kansas Coalition as one of 21 winners of the $1 billion Build Back Better Regional Challenge, the most impactful regional economic development competition in decades. Funded by President Biden’s American Rescue Plan and administered by the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA), the Regional Challenge is awarding approximately $51.4 million in grants to the South Kansas Coalition, led by Wichita State University, to strengthen aerospace production in southern Kansas.

With $51.4 million in funding from EDA, the South Kansas Coalition will boost the region’s aerospace production to strengthen the United States’ competitive advantage and meet projected industry demand in the coming years. Together with academic institutions, aerospace industry leaders, and the public sector, the coalition will develop new aerospace production methods and technology to improve manufacturing, create a workforce training facility, and provide training for existing workers.

“Thanks to the American Rescue Plan, local communities will be able to leverage unprecedented funding to build globally competitive businesses, industries, and workforces,” said U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo. “The South Kansas Coalition is leveraging the region’s assets to expand aerospace manufacturing production to thrive in a global market and building a workforce training program and facility that will ensure workers get connected to good jobs in the industry.” 

“The Economic Development Administration is proud to support Wichita State University as it leads this coalition,” said Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Alejandra Y. Castillo. “This EDA investment brings together world-class expertise from academic institutions, leading industry players, and the public sector to strengthen the southern Kansas regional economy.”

“This investment will further one of my administration’s economic priorities: modernizing the manufacturing industry across Kansas, including in the southern part of the state,” said Kansas Governor Laura Kelly. “I am confident that by further developing the aerospace workforce, adopting cutting-edge technologies, and supporting small manufacturers, WSU and the South Kansas Coalition will ensure we remain the aviation capital of the world for years to come.”

“Kansas manufacturers play a major role in rebuilding a resilient and competitive American economy. I voted for the American Rescue Plan because investments at the local level, like this EDA funding, is exactly what we need to lower costs for folks and create good-paying jobs. I am excited these funds are coming home to Kansas and will keep working to build on the strong foundation fueled by the American Rescue Plan,” said Congresswoman Sharice Davids (KS-03).

The South Kansas Coalition is one of 21 winners – each a regional coalition of partnering entities – that will receive awards between $25 million and $65 million to implement an average of six integrative projects that will enable each region's economic transformation and competitiveness. 

The Build Back Better Regional Challenge (BBBRC) is an unprecedented competitive federal grant program that provides each regional coalition with significant investments to tackle a wide variety of projects – including entrepreneurial support, workforce development, infrastructure, and innovation – to drive inclusive economic growth. Each coalition’s collection of projects aims to develop and strengthen regional industry clusters – all while embracing economic equity, creating good-paying jobs, and enhancing U.S. competitiveness globally. Projects span 24 states and include $87 million to two primarily Tribal coalitions and over $150 million for projects serving communities impacted by the declining use of coal.

The 21 BBBRC awardees were chosen from 60 EDA-designated finalists that each received approximately $500,000 in funding and technical assistance to continue developing their cluster strategies. The funding for each coalition is approximate, with awards to be signed later in September. Those 60 finalists were chosen from a Phase 1 applicant pool of 529 applications, which exemplifies the tremendous demand for transformational economic development approaches. EDA will continue to support all 60 finalists with the creation of a Community of Practice that will provide technical support, foster connectedness with peer regions and build capacity.

The Build Back Better Regional Challenge is one of EDA’s many programs aimed at building strong regional economies and supporting community-led economic development. EDA was allocated $3 billion in supplemental funding under the American Rescue Plan to assist communities nationwide in their efforts to build back better by accelerating economic recovery from the coronavirus pandemic and building local economies that will be resilient to future economic shocks. As a part of this funding, EDA allocated $300 million through a Coal Communities Commitment to support coal communities in pandemic recovery and help them create new jobs and opportunities, including through the creation or expansion of a new industry sector. Specifically, EDA has dedicated $100 million of its Build Back Better Regional Challenge funds and $200 million of its Economic Adjustment Assistance funds to directly support coal communities. Grantees for EDA’s full suite of American Rescue Plan programs will be awarded on a rolling basis through September 30, 2022. For more information, visit https://www.eda.gov/ARPA/.

 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.