Rep. Cartwright Applauds Commerce Department's $3 Billion Investment In America's Communities Through American Rescue Plan

Press Release

Today, U.S. Representative Matt Cartwright (PA-08) welcomed the U.S. Department of Commerce's (DOC) launch of "Investing in America's Communities," the largest DOC economic development initiative in decades that will help communities across the country recover and rebuild from the pandemic-driven economic downturn.

Investing in America's Communities is comprised of six programs to be administered through the Economic Development Administration (EDA). They will be funded by a historic $3 billion investment in the agency that Rep. Cartwright included in the American Rescue Plan he helped pass in March. Important for Northeastern Pennsylvania, EDA is making a Coal Communities Commitment, with $300 million to support these communities in their pandemic recovery and work to create new jobs and opportunities.

"When we were advancing the American Rescue Plan, we knew we needed to do more to ensure that communities all across America not only recover from the pandemic but have real economic vitality. That is especially true for former coal communities like Northeastern Pennsylvania," said Rep. Cartwright. "The Investing in America's Communities initiative is a smart bet on our workers and families that will pay huge dividends over time. I'm looking forward to getting right down to work with local leaders in my district to bring our fair share of these funds back home to help us create new jobs and opportunities."

According to DOC, the Investing in America's Communities includes:

Build Back Better Regional Challenge ($1 billion) will capitalize on American ingenuity and American workers by providing a transformational investment to regions across the country to revitalize their economies.
Good Jobs Challenge ($500 million) is designed to help get Americans back in good-paying jobs. The program will develop and strengthen regional workforce training systems and sector-based partnerships with a focus on programs targeted at women, people of color and historically underserved communities.
Economic Adjustment Assistance ($500 million) grants will help hundreds of communities across the nation plan, build, innovate, and put people back to work through projects tailored to meet local needs.
Indigenous Communities ($100 million) program will work hand-in-hand with Tribal Governments and Indigenous communities to develop and execute economic development projects they need to recover from the pandemic and build economies for the future.
Travel, Tourism and Outdoor Recreation ($750 million) program will focus on revitalizing the hard-hit travel, tourism, and outdoor recreation industries and accelerate the recovery of communities that rely on these sectors.
Statewide Planning, Research and Networks ($90 million) grants include funding for state planning efforts as well as grants to build Communities of Practice to extend technical assistance to support EDA's work with grantees.

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