Biden-Harris Administration Awards Planning Grant to Spur Economic Growth in Springfield, Illinois
As part of President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, Department of Commerce selects communities primed to reduce unemployment and establish long-term economic growth
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 Springfield Economic Empowerment Project in Springfield, Illinois, was awarded a Recompete Strategy Development Grant to hire a Recompete Plan Coordinator and Economic Development Officer and support strategic implementation planning.
Springfield Economic Empowerment Project, led by the city of Springfield, will leverage the grant to increase local coordination and planning activities to create and connect workers to good jobs in geographically diverse and persistently distressed communities. The Distressed Area Recompete Pilot 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.
“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 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 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.”
“Illinois is leading the way in economic growth, creating new opportunities to support working families in every community,” said Illinois Governor JB Pritzker. “The Springfield Economic Empowerment Project exemplifies that spirit. I am so grateful to the Biden-Harris Administration for investing in our capital city and allowing Illinois residents to create the future they deserve.”
“The EDA’s Recompete Pilot Program channels resources into the heart of economically distressed communities that have been overlooked for far too long,” said Illinois Senator Dick Durbin. “By strategically investing in these areas, we not only breathe new life into local economies, but also forge pathways to quality employment, fostering a brighter future for the residents who call Springfield home.”
“We’re in the midst of a manufacturing resurgence in Illinois, but we still need to ensure the benefits are shared and help lift all communities, including those in Central Illinois,” said Illinois Senator Tammy Duckworth. “Illinois is home to large numbers of skilled workers who are ready, willing and able to work in emerging industries, and this Recompete plan in Springfield can help ensure this growth helps all Illinoisans have a chance to succeed.”
“Since my first day in Congress, I’ve been focused on advocating for federal funding to support projects in Central and Southern Illinois,” said Representative Nikki Budzinski (IL-13). “Today, I couldn’t be more happy to join the Economic Development Agency in announcing a $450,000 grant for the Springfield Economic Empowerment Project. This announcement means new resources dedicated to creating a workforce development strategy to spur economic growth in the parts of our community that have been left behind for too long.”
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.