Congressman Horsford Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Create Jobs, Spur Growth in Underserved Communities | Congressman Steven Horsford
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Congressman Horsford Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Create Jobs, Spur Growth in Underserved Communities

July 22, 2021

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Steven Horsford joined a bicameral, bipartisan group of legislators to introduce the Rebuilding Economies and Creating Opportunities for More People Everywhere to Excel (RECOMPETE) Act. The RECOMPETE Act would establish a new federal block grant program at the Economic Development Agency (EDA) to empower underserved communities with flexible, 10-year RECOMPETE grants to meet local economic development needs, invest in workers and businesses, and create a path for long-term economic growth.

"As Nevada begins our long-term recovery from the pandemic, our communities deserve flexible support that empowers local leaders. The RECOMPETE Act will help local and tribal governments create jobs and build long-term economic prosperity for those who have been historically left behind," said Congressman Steven Horsford. "I'm proud to join a bipartisan, bicameral group of legislators to introduce this important bill and build a more equitable future for Nevada and the nation."

The RECOMPETE Grant program would be administered by the EDA, leveraging the expertise and resources of the EDA to provide thorough technical assistance and funds to help eligible communities develop, implement, and carry out 10-year comprehensive economic development plans and activities, administer the grants, and conduct oversight of the programs.

Eligible Areas: Persistently distressed local labor markets, local communities, and Tribal Governments would be eligible to receive assistance under this Act.

  • Local labor markets are discrete Core Based Statistical Areas (CBSAs), or metropolitan and micropolitan statistical areas, and commuting zones (CZs).
  • Local labor markets with a five-year average prime-age employment rate that is two and a half percent or more below the national five-year average prime-age employment rate are eligible to receive the grant.
  • Local communities are individual units of local government and territories within a discrete local labor market that is not distressed.
  • Local communities with a five-year average prime-age employment rate that is five percent or more below the applicable local labor market five-year average prime-age employment rate, and which meet other certain criteria, are eligible to receive the grant.
  • Tribal Governments are the recognized governing body of any Indian or Alaska Native tribe, band, nation, pueblo, village, community, component band, or component reservation, with a five-year average prime-age employment rate that is two and a half percent or more below the national five-year average prime-age employment rate are eligible to receive the grant.

Eligible Uses: Eligible communities would develop a 10-year comprehensive economic development plan for addressing the unique local economic challenges, closing their prime-age employment gaps, increasing per capita income, and creating sustained economic opportunity. RECOMPETE Grants could be used for a wide variety of purposes, including:

  • Business advice for small and medium-sized local businesses and entrepreneurs, such as manufacturing extension services and small business development centers.
  • Land and site development, such as brownfield redevelopment, research and technology parks, business incubators, business corridor development, and Main Street redevelopment. Infrastructure and housing, such as improvements in transit, roads, broadband access, and affordable housing development.
  • Job training oriented to regional or local labor market needs, such as customized job training programs run by local community colleges in partnership with local businesses.
  • Workforce outreach programs that reach out to lower-income neighborhoods and embed job placement and training services in neighborhood institutions.
  • Job retention programs for support services such as job success coaches, childcare services, or transportation support.
  • Other uses deemed appropriate by the EDA.

Allocation: Eligible communities could receive a maximum RECOMPETE Grant equal to the cost of closing half of the prime-age employment rate gap for that area, subject to cost-sharing. The formula is determined by the eligible community's population, level of distress, and other factors. The Federal share of the project cost would be a minimum of 50 percent and a maximum of 100 percent, depending on the level of distress and the needs of the communities served.

Labor Standards: RECOMPETE Grants require robust labor standards and local prevailing wages for laborers and mechanics employed by contractors and subcontractors on projects and activities outlined in the plan, consistent with the Davis-Bacon Act.

To read the full text of the RECOMPETE Act, click here.

To read a summary of the RECOMPETE Act, click here.

The RECOMPETE Act was introduced by a bipartisan, bicameral coalition of more than 50 members of the House and Senate.

Media Contact
Geneva Kropper | geneva.kropper@mail.house.gov | 202-849-0251

Issues:Economy