Biden-Harris Administration Invests Approximately $20 Million in Allentown, Pennsylvania to Connect Residents in Distressed Neighborhoods to Good Paying Jobs
Contact: EDA Public Affairs Department, [email protected]
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Biden-Harris Administration, through the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA), today announced it will award approximately $20 million to the city of Allentown, Pennsylvania, to connect residents in distressed neighborhoods to good paying jobs in high-opportunity industries.
In December 2023, the City of Allentown Recompete Plan was named one of 22 Recompete Finalists as part of Phase 1 of the Distressed Area Recompete Pilot Program (Recompete). Recompete targets areas where prime-age (25-54) employment is significantly lower than the national average, with the goal of closing this gap through flexible, locally-driven investments.
“The Biden-Harris Administration is dedicated to ensuring Allentown and communities across the country have the resources and support they need to grow and thrive,” said U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo. “By getting workers the skills, transportation, and childcare services they need for quality jobs in the place they call home, this investment will help create jobs and revitalize Allentown to grow economic prosperity throughout the community.”
As one of six Recompete awardees selected for implementation funding, the City of Allentown Recompete Plan will address barriers to employment faced disproportionately in the service area, including skills/education gaps, transportation challenges, and a shortage of affordable, high-quality childcare. Together with dozens of local partners, the city plans to use a network of navigators to connect residents to expanded training programs, improved transit, and high-quality affordable childcare—smoothing pathways to employment in healthcare and resurgent manufacturing.
The final grant amount will be confirmed in the coming months.
“Through partnership with local communities, the Recompete program will make targeted, community-led investments to reduce unemployment,” said U.S. Assistant Secretary for Economic Development Alejandra Y. Castillo. “The Recompete awardees are bringing together a wide range of partners to develop integrated approaches to support Americans in accessing good jobs.”
“When people have the skills and resources they need to compete for good-paying jobs, they can provide for their families, get quality health care, and improve their quality of life. For too long, Allentown residents have struggled to make ends meet due to employment barriers through no fault of their own,” said Senator Bob Casey. “The Recompete program represents a game-changing opportunity for Allentown residents to get a fair shot at getting and keeping family sustaining jobs.”
“This is fantastic news for Allentown,” said Senator John Fetterman. “This project will connect Pennsylvanians to good jobs by increasing apprenticeship program capacity, expanding access to childcare, and addressing transportation challenges in the area. I ran for the Senate to bring federal dollars to back to Pennsylvania to help revitalize forgotten communities — this funding will do just that. I’m proud to have fought for these federal dollars and I’m grateful that the Biden-Harris administration recognized the potential in Allentown and delivered.”
“I’m so excited that the City of Allentown was selected for this historic $20 million grant, which will allow us to expand our job market, connect each corner of the city with critical services, and support hardworking men and women looking to earn a decent living,” said Representative Susan Wild (PA-07). “The City’s plan is impressive and comprehensive, and I was proud to see it through to completion. Job-seekers across our community will now be able to access strong wages and good workplaces that might otherwise have been out of reach. I’ll continue pushing to bring home additional investments to our city to support the Recompete plan and tackle barriers to employment.”
The Recompete program was authorized by the bipartisan CHIPS and Science Act, a key part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s Investing in America agenda. The statute authorized $1 billion for the program. To date, EDA has been appropriated $200 million for the program.
Read more about the Recompete Pilot Program at 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.