Biden-Harris Administration Announces Recompete Finalist in Newark, New Jersey, to Support Workforce Development

Contact: EDA Public Affairs Department, edamedia@eda.gov

WASHINGTON, DC — The Biden-Harris Administration, through the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA), today announced that the Newark Builds Newark Recompete Plan in Newark, New Jersey, was named a Finalist in the Distressed Area Recompete Pilot Program (Recompete).

The Newark Builds Newark Recompete Plan, led by the city of Newark, will leverage this award to bring training and comprehensive wraparound supports to residents by building a 35,000-square foot Center for Excellence for building trades in downtown Newark. By building a physical training presence and providing wraparound services, the Finalist aims to ensure all residents benefit from historic federal investments in the region.

The Recompete program, authorized by the CHIPS and Science Act, targets areas where prime-age (25-54 years) employment is significantly lower than the national average, with the goal to close this gap through flexible, locally driven investments. Earning the title of Recompete Finalist is an endorsement of the community’s strategy to create and connect workers to good jobs in geographically diverse and persistently distressed communities across the country. Recompete Finalists are now eligible to apply for the final phase of the Recompete Program, which will award an average of $20 to $50 million in implementation funding.

“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,” said U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo. “These Recompete Finalists and grant recipients have presented a wide range of inspiring solutions to create jobs, develop long-term economic growth, and realize the full potential in communities that for too long have been overlooked or counted out.”

“As President Biden has said many times: we all just want a fair shot. Recompete helps make it possible for more Americans in more communities to find a good-paying job that puts them and their families on the path toward success. By equitably investing in new job creation opportunities across America, we can help fulfil our promise that no American, and no community, is ever left behind,” said Deputy Secretary of Commerce Don Graves.

“These outstanding Recompete Finalists and strategy development grant recipients exemplify the focused employment and job creation strategies required to address the unique, long-standing needs of communities,” said Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Alejandra Y. Castillo. “We look forward to supporting these communities as they work to reduce the employment gap and establish models for long-term economic growth we can apply across America.”

“As a finalist for this program, the Newark Builds Newark Recompete Plan will bring new opportunities for growth and employment to the City of Newark and its residents. Through this program, a Center of Excellence for building trades will be constructed to provide the training and wraparound services to help these young Americans find success and thrive,” said New Jersey Senator Bob Menendez. “I was proud to have supported the CHIPS and Science Act, which included my bipartisan, bicameral Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) Supply Chain Database Act, which unlocked the federal funding necessary to support this program and I look forward to seeing the community benefit from the economic growth it brings.”

“Newark’s selection as a finalist in the Recompete Pilot Program is welcome news for our workforce in New Jersey’s Eighth Congressional District,” said Representative Rob Menendez (NJ-08). “As a result of the Biden Administration and House Democrats’ enactment of the CHIPS and Science Act, Newark residents have a chance to benefit from important workforce development programs. We will continue working with the President and Mayor Baraka to deliver for Newark residents.”

The 22 Recompete Finalists were selected from more than 500 applications from lead applicants representing nonprofits, local government, economic development organizations, educational institutions, and tribal government and organizations. Recompete Finalists span regions across 20 states and territories.

For a full list of Recompete Finalists, visit eda.gov/recompete.

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.