U.S. Department of Commerce Invests Approximately $3.9 Million in Rhode Island and Massachusetts to Strengthen Ocean Technology Workforce Training Program Through Good Jobs Challenge
Contact: EDA Public Affairs Department, edamedia@eda.gov
WASHINGTON, DC — Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo announced the Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding an approximately $3.9 million Good Jobs Challenge grant to the University of Rhode Island Research Foundation, Polaris MEP in Providence, to further Ocean Tech Works, a workforce training program to support the region’s ocean technology industry.
The program will support workforce development in ocean robotics, sensors, and materials industries in Rhode Island and southeastern Massachusetts to meet the demands of ocean-based technology companies and their extensive supply chains in the region. The project will support the Ocean Tech Hub, which EDA designated a Tech Hub in 2023.
“The Good Jobs Challenge underscores the intent and impact of President Biden’s Investing in America agenda by strengthening and empowering America’s workforce, securing their future, and ensuring the United States remains globally competitive,” said Secretary Raimondo. “Building off its previous success, the Good Jobs Challenge is expanding into more communities across the country with a focus on industries that will define the 21st century economy. These investments will train American workers for industries of the future, empower them with the tools they need to secure good-paying jobs, and lift up communities in Rhode Island and Massachusetts that have too often been overlooked or left behind.”
The Good Jobs Challenge is awarding its second phase of funding, investing $25 million into workforce systems and industry-led partnerships, providing new opportunities and training for America’s workforce to develop in-demand skills that meet the needs of today’s employers and lead to good-paying jobs. Initially funded by $500 million from the Biden-Harris Administration’s American Rescue Plan, the program is concluding its second year of implementation and has trained and placed more than 12,000 American workers into good jobs.
“Training a workforce that meets industry demands is a key component to growing and strengthening local and regional economies,” said Acting Assistant Secretary of Economic Development Cristina Killingsworth. “The new Good Jobs Challenge awardees will build upon the success of our first-round grantees in putting thousands of Americans to work in industries that make our country stronger, safer, and more prosperous.”
“With these funds, Massachusetts is positioned to provide new opportunities to our ocean technology workforce and advance our state's coastal economy,” said Governor Maura Healey. “Our administration has been committed to expanding training for in-demand jobs, and we’re grateful to the Biden-Harris Administration for their partnership and support through the Good Jobs Challenge. Congratulations to the University of Rhode Island Research Foundation on this well deserved award.”
“This Good Jobs Challenge award will put more Rhode Islanders to work in the industries that keep our state a leader of the Blue Economy,” said Senator Sheldon Whitehouse. “I’ve long worked to deliver federal funding to Rhode Island’s flagship university to keep our state on the leading edge of ocean innovation, and I am pleased that this funding will invest in a new generation of leaders focused on growing the ocean economy in the Ocean State.”
“The Ocean State is a leader in ocean tech and the Blue Economy,” said Senator Jack Reed. “This federal funding will bring together regional partners to help train Rhode Islanders for good-paying jobs in the rapidly growing ocean technology sector, ensuring that Rhode Island is at the forefront of researching, developing, and manufacturing cutting-edge undersea automation and other technological advancements.”
“To continue growing Rhode Island’s Blue Economy, we need a workforce that can leverage the latest ocean science and technology,” said Representative Gabe Amo (RI-1). “This $3.8 million grant through Department of Commerce grant will foster the regional collaboration necessary to provide workers with the training they need to compete for good-paying, high-quality jobs. I was proud to advocate for these federal resources alongside our delegation and I thank Secretary Gina Raimondo for her effort to help secure them for the Ocean State.”
Read more about the Good Jobs Challenge at eda.gov.
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.