Biden-Harris Administration Invests Approximately $35 Million in Washington to Revitalize Natural Resources Industries in the Remote North Olympic Peninsula
Contact: EDA Public Affairs Department, edamedia@eda.gov
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Biden-Harris Administration, through the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA), today announced it will award approximately $35 million to Clallam County, Washington, to revitalize the natural resources industries in the remote region of Washington State’s North Olympic Peninsula.
In December 2023, North Olympic Peninsula Recompete Plan was named one of 22 Recompete Finalists as part of Phase 1 of the Distressed Area Recompete Pilot Program (Recompete). Recompete targets areas where prime-age (25-54) employment is significantly lower than the national average, with the goal of closing this gap through flexible, locally-driven investments.
“The Biden-Harris Administration is dedicated to ensuring communities in the North Olympic Peninsula and across the country have the resources and support to grow and thrive,” said U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo. “This investment in the towns and Tribes of the Olympic Peninsula will ensure workers have the skills needed for good-paying jobs in their communities and will ensure the region has the infrastructure to effectively and equitably make the most of their bountiful natural resources.”
As one of six Recompete awardees selected for implementation funding, North Olympic Peninsula Recompete Plan will drive renewed economic competitiveness and job creation in the sustainable maritime and natural resources sectors. Together with tribal and county governments and local partners, the program will enhance supply chain infrastructure, scale innovative forest product manufacturing, and support workers in tribal and distressed communities.
The final grant amount will be confirmed in the coming months.
“Through partnership with local communities, the Recompete program will make targeted, community-led investments to reduce unemployment,” said U.S. Assistant Secretary for Economic Development Alejandra Y. Castillo. “The Recompete awardees are bringing together a wide range of partners to develop integrated approaches to support Americans in accessing good jobs.”
“This funding is a big boost for the North Olympic Peninsula’s efforts to drive its own economic and environmental destiny,” said Governor Jay Inslee. “Using triple bottom line strategies, the North Olympic Peninsula has a plan for a sustainable, innovative, and resilient economy with important roles for industries like forestry and the marine trades. Their plan also focuses on removing barriers to employment such as childcare and workforce training. I am thrilled that the EDA has recognized the hard work and natural strengths of the Native Nations, businesses, and communities of Jefferson and Clallam Counties.”
“I was proud to help fund the Recompete program—and I commend Representative Kilmer and Senator Cantwell for helping to make this grant program a reality,” said Senator Patty Murray. “Securing this highly competitive federal award is a testament to the ingenuity and hard work of countless local leaders, and the message is clear: the Peninsula is worth investing in and its future is bright. I look forward to seeing the difference this will make to help build opportunity for people across the North Olympic Peninsula, and, as Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, I’ll keep working to bring federal dollars home to every part of Washington state to make sure that families in every community aren’t just getting by—but can get ahead.”
“This award is a powerful vote of confidence in the potential of Olympic Peninsula communities,” said Senator Maria Cantwell. “By building off the region’s history and expertise in the marine and timber industries, and a decade of innovation in new materials like CLT and composites, this federal investment will help launch new products our economy needs for commerce and defense while growing the local manufacturing workforce. Today’s announcement demonstrates the promise of the CHIPS & Science Act to support innovation and job creation in key sectors all across Washington and the nation.”
“I grew up in Port Angeles and was in high school right around the time the timber industry took it on the chin. I saw a lot of folks in our region lose their livelihoods. It had a big impact on me. It’s why I studied economic development policy in college and grad school. It’s why I worked in economic development, and it’s why I ran for office. And it’s why I drafted the RECOMPETE Act,” said Representative Derek Kilmer (WA-06). “Honestly, I’ve spent most of my adult life trying to figure out how to make sure we are doing a better job of protecting workers and communities so that no one gets left behind in our society and economy. The Recompete Pilot Program is a testament to our collective efforts to ensure every American, no matter their zip code, has access to economic opportunity. I am absolutely thrilled to see a Recompete grant awarded to our region. This is the culmination of years and years of work. And it’s testament to the power of partnership in our community. I’m so proud of the work of folks in our region to come together and earn the largest Recompete in the country against extraordinary competition. We have here a diverse coalition of stakeholders throughout the North Olympic Peninsula committed to connecting people to economic opportunities. This grant will help ensure that we can create good-paying, long-lasting jobs that will reinvigorate the region’s economy for decades to come. I just couldn’t be happier to see this happen for the region in which I grew up.”
The Recompete program was authorized by the bipartisan CHIPS and Science Act, a key part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s Investing in America agenda. The statute authorized $1 billion for the program. To date, EDA has been appropriated $200 million for the program.
Read more about the Recompete Pilot Program at 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.