Biden-Harris Administration Announces Recompete Finalist in Springfield, Massachusetts, to Connect Communities to Good Jobs

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 the Springfield-Holyoke Recompete Plan in Springfield, Massachusetts, was named a Finalist in the Distressed Area Recompete Pilot Program (Recompete).

The Springfield-Holyoke Recompete Plan, led by MassHire Hampden County Workforce Board, Inc., will connect historically marginalized communities in Springfield and Holyoke to good jobs. The Finalist will leverage this award to increase access to local employment opportunities, by supporting training and workforce development and the creation of a shared services hub in these historically underrepresented communities.

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.

In addition to being named a Recompete Finalist, EDA announced today that the Springfield-Holyoke Recompete Plan was also awarded a Recompete Strategy Development Grant to help communities significantly increase local coordination and planning activities.

“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.”

“We’re thrilled that the Springfield-Holyoke Recompete Plan was named a finalist to receive this funding, and we congratulate MassHire for their important work,” said Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey. “This program will boost our efforts to ensure that all workers can access the training and workforce development opportunities they need to succeed in today’s economy. We’re grateful to the Biden-Harris administration, Secretary Raimondo and her team, and our Congressional delegation for making this opportunity available.”

“I am thrilled to join local, state, and federal partners in announcing MassHire’s selection as a finalist for the EDA’s Recompete Program. With much of the CHIPS Act drafted in the Ways and Means Committee, I was keen on delivering federal funds to the Commonwealth, particularly in western and central Massachusetts. The CHIPS Act is about bolstering economic activity through investments that will empower American innovators, stimulate job growth, and achieve economic security for future generations. With opportunities like the Recompete Program, that is precisely what the Pioneer Valley will see in the years to come,” said Representative Richard Neal (MA-01). “I applaud MassHire, whose efforts in spearheading the Springfield-Holyoke Recompete Plan were critical in navigating the EDA’s rigorous application process. By collaborating with local partners, both public and private, MassHire’s targeted approach would help thousands of local residents access economic opportunities otherwise not afforded to them.”

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.