Biden-Harris Administration Announces Recompete Finalist to Transform Workforce Challenges in El Paso, Texas

Contact: EDA Public Affairs Department, [email protected]

WASHINGTON, DC — The Biden-Harris Administration, through the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA), today announced that Borderplex Region Workforce Recompete Plan in El Paso, Texas, was named a Finalist in the Distressed Area Recompete Pilot Program (Recompete).

Borderplex Region Workforce Recompete Plan, led by the city of El Paso, will transform critical workforce challenges that impact distressed communities by creating mobility through training in advanced manufacturing, aerospace, healthcare, and IT. The project will upscale training programs in these industries, expand wraparound services and improve job creation and connection in collaboration with the region’s businesses.

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.”

“Texas is a national and global leader in advanced manufacturing, aerospace, healthcare, and technology, and the Borderplex Region Workforce Recompete Plan will help strengthen our position in these critical industries,” said Texas Governor Greg Abbott. “This program will be a boon to hardworking Texans in the El Paso area, keeping Texas’ workforce ready to meet the needs of our state and our nation’s economy as it grows and modernizes.”

“I’m thrilled that the City of El Paso, in partnership with Workforce Solutions Borderplex, has been selected as one of twenty-two finalists for Phase I of the Economic Development Administration’s FY23 Recompete Pilot Program and awarded $500,000,” said Representative Veronica Escobar (TX-16). “The selection of the City of El Paso’s grant application amid over 550 other applicants was a testament to its strength, and I was proud to provide a letter of support earlier this year. As the City deservedly celebrates this award that will further enhance the development of the Borderplex Region Workforce Recompete Initiative, I look forward to continuing to assist in any way I can to ensure a competitive application for Phase II.”

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.