Biden-Harris Administration Announces Recompete Finalist in Skowhegan, Maine, to Support Business Development and Create 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 Revitalization of Central Maine Recompete Plan in Skowhegan, Maine, was named a Finalist in the Distressed Area Recompete Pilot Program (Recompete).

The Revitalization of Central Maine Recompete Plan, led by Main Street Skowhegan, will connect residents to good jobs and revitalize the downtown economy in the Skowhegan/Waterville Route 201 corridor. The Finalist will address skills gaps, transportation, and workforce re-entry access by creating a community kitchen and small business incubator, workforce training, and developing support programs with employers focused on manufacturing, agriculture, and food services.

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 Revitalization of Central Maine 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.”

“The Revitalization of Central Maine Recompete Plan can be summed up in one word: potential,” said Maine Senator Angus King. “The Recompete project in Skowhegan represents untapped potential for a workforce, a community, and local economy – all they need is a kickstart to help them get their economic engine running on all cylinders. By earning the distinction of being a finalist, they have clearly demonstrated and detailed their vision, know-how, and readiness to diversify the Central Maine economy for a new generation of growth.”

“Being named a finalist for the Recompete Program is testament to Main Street Skowhegan’s hard work and dedication engaging with the community to develop a revitalization plan for the region,” said Representative Jared Golden (ME-02). “Today’s announcement puts the region one step closer to an absolutely game-changing investment in local jobs, education, and economic development. It’s also evidence that the CHIPS Act continues to deliver for Mainers.”

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.