From ReImagine Appalachia (https://reimagineappalachia.org/):
We all know that Appalachian communities need federal investments to fix our outdated infrastructure, repair our communities, and build our bright visions for the future.
We also know that the communities that have the least resources have the hardest time competing for those resources at a national scale. Many of our communities don’t have the professional grant writers and other capacity needed to compete for these federal grants.
So how do we break the cycle?
One proposal is the RECOMPETE Act. This new federal grant pilot program that would allow the Economic Development Administration (EDA) to empower persistently distressed communities to design and implement 5-year comprehensive economic development strategies and help pilot communities design a locally tailored plan to create more family-wage sustaining jobs and lasting economic growth.
Sounds great right? Except that as of now, this newly authorized program doesn’t have any funding!
We are asking Congress to fund this new pilot program at $100 million dollars for 2023 – please join us by using this easy action tool today!
Take action at https://secure.everyaction.com/zjlF7LpQGEezzAye6jfqIA2.
The RECOMPETE Pilot Program could provide distressed local communities with flexible multi-year grants to invest in a variety of local economic development needs designed to increase employment rates. Grants can be used for infrastructure investments, brownfield redevelopment, workforce development, small business assistance, resources to connect residents to opportunities, among other investments.
Too many young Appalachians feel they have to leave home to find good work. It’s more important than ever to make sure we are creating opportunities for discouraged workers, and to give young people more opportunities for good, family sustaining careers in the region.
Leave a Reply