Months after submitting a grant application for the Distressed Area Recompete Pilot Program (Recompete) to the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA), Greater Grays Harbor, Inc. (GGHI) is honored to announce they’ve been awarded an almost $500,000 Strategy Development Grant. The official announcement came on Wednesday, December 20 to GGHI and local stakeholders, Grays Harbor College, Pacific County Economic Development Council and Rock Project Management Services, LLC.
Thanks to $1 billion in the CHIPS and Science Act, the EDA’s Recompete Pilot Program received $200 million in initial appropriations for this year’s grant cycle. After receiving over 560 applications during Recompete’s initial competition, the EDA announced the process was the highest in demand of any national program in EDA’s history.
The Recompete Program is designed to target the hardest-hit and most economically distressed areas in the country 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. Upon looking into the EDA’s PAEG mapping tool, GGHI and their stakeholders identified Grays Harbor County as the highest PAEG of all counties in Washington State at 14.99%, while Pacific County’s PAEG was also high at 5.44.
“I grew up in Port Angeles and was in high school right around the time the timber industry took it on the chin,” said Representative Derek Kilmer. “I saw a lot of my friends’ parents lose their jobs. It had a big impact on me. My journey in public service has been dedicated to one core mission: ensuring that we do a better job of safeguarding workers and communities. That means building an economy where no one is left behind. Now, seeing the RECOMPETE Act – an idea I’ve championed for years – come to fruition with this inaugural grant gives some real cause for hope. The Recompete Pilot Program is focused on providing economic opportunities for folks on the Olympic Peninsula, the Pacific Coast, and nationwide. It’s about making sure that everyone, no matter their zip code, has access to these opportunities.”
Being one of only 24 nationwide recipients of this grant highlights the importance of the initiative and the incredible impact that the nearly $500,000 will have on Grays Harbor and the region. “Washington’s coastal counties are on the brink of significant economic progress,” explained GGHI CEO, Lynnette Buffington, “and the Recompete Strategy Grant equips us to address real-world barriers to employment. This investment is a crucial resource, enabling us to build the skills and capacity of our residents, positioning them and our employers to thrive. We couldn’t be more appreciative of the investment and its ability to impact meaningful change to the residents of Grays Harbor and Pacific Counties.”
“We are excited to collaborate with Greater Grays Harbor, Inc. and our fellow stakeholders in building the workforce of the future,” said Grays Harbor College President Dr. Carli Schiffner. “For nearly 100 years, Grays Harbor College has provided workforce training to support our region’s economic needs. Our robust industrial technology programs serve as a solid base for future growth, and this historic funding will play a crucial role in equipping our community with essential skillsets for the years ahead.”
GGHI thanks the hard work and dedication from Representative Kilmer who has led the local conversation on Recompete for over a year and a half. Additionally, GGHI thanks Grays Harbor College and Pacific County Economic Development Council for collaborating to bring their ideas and vision to the table as well as Rock Project Management Services, LLC for writing the grant and spending countless hours completing such a compelling application.
For more information on the Recompete Act and the Strategy Development Grant, please visit Representative Kilmer’s press release, the EDA’s press release, or contact the GGHI office at (360) 532-7888 or email communications@graysharbor.org.