Sec. 203. Federal economic and workforce development assistance programs
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The Secretary of Commerce, acting through the Economic Development Administration (referred to in this section as the Secretary ), shall use the amounts made available to carry out this section under section 202(c)(1) to provide grant assistance under covered programs for eligible projects described in subsection (e). The purpose of this section is to provide funding to impacted communities by targeting Federal economic and workforce development assistance programs that seek— to diversify regional, State, tribal, and local economies; to create jobs in new and existing industries; to attract new sources of job-creating investment; and to provide a range of workforce services and skills training, including work-based learning opportunities, resulting in industry-recognized credentials for high-quality, in-demand jobs.
The Secretary shall— allocate amounts made available to carry out this section among the covered programs in accordance with the criteria described in paragraph (2); and provide public notice of the availability of grant assistance under this section through a Federal Funding Opportunity announcement. The Secretary shall establish and publish criteria for the allocation of funds to carry out this section among the covered programs in a manner that carries out the purpose described in subsection (b), as determined by the Secretary.
On allocation by the Secretary of amounts from the Fund for a covered program under this section, the head of the applicable participating agency shall manage grant selection (including eligibility requirements), awards, and execution of projects with respect to those amounts. Except as otherwise provided in this section, projects receiving grant assistance under this section shall be subject to the eligibility rules, permitted activities, and reporting requirements of the covered program under which the grant is made.
A project shall be eligible for assistance under this section if the purpose of the project is to assist impacted communities— to organize community stakeholders, analyze and inventory community assets, evaluate needs and resources, and develop comprehensive economic development strategic plans; to undergo in-depth labor market analysis and workforce development and dislocated worker planning associated with the provision of training and employment services; to implement linked economic and workforce development strategies to develop high-potential industry clusters; to accelerate job creation by leveraging local assets; to train and place workers in family-supporting, high-demand jobs (including registered apprenticeship and other on-the-job training models); to create linkages that drive regional economic growth; or to carry out other purposes approved by the Secretary.
In selecting projects to receive assistance under this section, the head of a participating agency shall— give priority to project applications that establish a clear linkage between the proposed project and the means by which the project will result in local economic growth and diversification, job creation, and job training and reemployment for dislocated workers, as described in a broader economic and workforce development strategy, without regard to any formula used by a participating agency to disburse other funds; and consult directly with impacted communities to determine the greatest needs of the impacted communities and give priority to projects that address those needs.
In providing assistance under this section for projects for economic diversification, the head of a participating agency shall give consideration, at a minimum, to the following activities and costs: Analysis activities that build from strategic economic development plans, including— economic and workforce data collection; and supply chain and industry cluster analysis. Outreach and targeted assistance to economic development organizations, unions, workers, and other stakeholders.
Remediation and redevelopment of coal economy sites, as appropriate. Provision of business planning and market exploration services. Development of business incubator programs. Facilitation of access to private capital investment and capacity building to effectively use capital investment. Promotion of exports from entities in the impacted area. Workforce training and dislocated worker services and supports for impacted workers. Costs associated with registered apprenticeship and on-the-job training models.
Temporary or short-term relocation or commuting costs for available jobs in other parts of the applicable State or region. Staffing, operating, and administrative costs for the recipient organization. Comprehensive strategies that— integrate all of the activities and costs described in subparagraphs
(A)through (K); and leverage other investments from the applicable participating agency and other Federal agencies. The Secretary shall— with respect to grant assistance under this section, manage— the Federal Funding Opportunity announcement under subsection (c)(1)(B); and the overall process of competitive solicitation; provide a single staff point of Federal contact (with staffing assistance from other participating agencies, as needed) for grants awarded under this section; and coordinate cross-agency activities at the regional level that direct additional Federal resources to impacted communities.