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Published on January 14, 2025
U.S. Economic Development Administration to Award $25 Million for Workforce Training in 35 StatesSource: Google Street View

In a recent announcement by the U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo, the Department's Economic Development Administration (EDA) is set to disburse $25 million in grants to bolster workforce training programs across the nation. The funding, part of the Good Jobs Challenge, aims to create avenues for workers to secure well-paying jobs, with a spotlight on critical and burgeoning technology industries. According to the Department of Commerce, this installment will extend the program's reach, now encompassing 35 states and one territory.

As stated by Secretary Raimondo, this extension of the Good Jobs Challenge not only continues the development of America's workforce but also makes a concerted effort to include rural and historically marginalized communities in these opportunities. "The Good Jobs Challenge underscores the intent and impact of President Biden’s Investing in America agenda by strengthening and empowering America’s workforce, securing their future, and ensuring the United States remains globally competitive," said Secretary Raimondo. Notably, this effort aligns with the President's commitment to bolstering job training and employment in sectors quintessential for America’s global standing, as per the Department of Commerce.

Eight grantees have been selected in this round of the Good Jobs Challenge with specific industry focuses ranging from natural disaster mitigation and aerospace to advanced manufacturing and information technology. The diversity of these industries reflects a strategic approach towards invigorating the economic fabric of various regions. Cristina Killingsworth, the Acting Assistant Secretary of Economic Development, expressed that "Training a workforce that meets industry demands is a key component to growing and strengthening local and regional economies." The program, having already trained and positioned more than 12,000 workers in meaningful employment, aims to increase that number to 53,000, as detailed by the Department of Commerce.

The Good Jobs Challenge leverages a collaborative model, partnering with employers, labor unions, and educational institutions among others, to deliver skillsets aligned with the immediate needs of industry. According to the program details, emphasis has been placed on ensuring representation among underrepresented groups; Black workers are represented at nearly twice their national share, and Indigenous workers at three times theirs. The latest round of investment is said to prime thousands of Americans for roles that bolster both individual and national prosperity.

Since its inception through the American Rescue Plan, the Good Jobs Challenge has committed $525 million to various regional initiatives. The latest beneficiaries of this round include the Alaska Municipal League, the City and County of Denver, Colorado, Community College Workforce Alliance in Virginia, and numerous others in strategically chosen localities. The EDA's methodical approach to economic development is visible in its targeted investment, intended to spark sustainable growth and preparatory investment ahead of foreseeable technological and industrial shifts.