Kilmer, Murray, Cantwell Announce $35 Million Award to North Olympic Peninsula Recompete Coalition

August 05, 2024

Kilmer Authored Legislation to Create Recompete Program, Which Has Become the Most Popular Program in the History of the Economic Development Administration

Port Angeles, WA - Today, U.S. Representative Derek Kilmer (WA-06) and U.S. Senators Patty Murray (D-WA) and Maria Cantwell (D-WA) announced that the North Olympic Peninsula Recompete Coalition (NOPRC) was awarded $35 million by the U.S. Department of Commerce to reinvigorate the economy on the North Olympic Peninsula. The historic federal funding is being administered by the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) through the Distressed Area Recompete Pilot Program (Recompete Pilot Program), which was created based on legislation authored by Rep. Kilmer.

The North Olympic Peninsula Recompete Plan, led by Clallam County, aims to revitalize the marine and natural resources industries in the North Olympic Peninsula. The new funding will help NOPRC drive renewed economic competitiveness and good job opportunities in the region. Specifically, the funding will support the expansion of the Composite Recycling Technology Center, a facility that manufactures Advanced Cross-Laminated Timber (ACLT) in cooperation with the Makah Tribe; critical marine transportation infrastructure; and a workforce strategy with social support services. Through the coalition's Recompete Task Force, tribal and county governments, local colleges, and economic development partners are poised to create and connect residents to good jobs.

"I grew up in Port Angeles and was in high school right around the time the timber industry took it on the chin. I saw a lot of folks in our region lose their livelihoods. It had a big impact on me. It's why I studied economic development policy in college and grad school. It's why I worked in economic development, and it's why I ran for office. And it's why I drafted the RECOMPETE Act," said Rep. Kilmer. "Honestly, I've spent most of my adult life trying to figure out how to make sure we are doing a better job of protecting workers and communities so that no one gets left behind in our society and economy. The Recompete Pilot Program is a testament to our collective efforts to ensure every American, no matter their zip code, has access to economic opportunity."

Kilmer continued, "I am absolutely thrilled to see a Recompete grant awarded to our region. This is the culmination of years and years of work. And it's testament to the power of partnership in our community. I'm so proud of the work of folks in our region to come together and earn the a Recompete grant against extraordinary competition. We have here a diverse coalition of stakeholders throughout the North Olympic Peninsula committed to connecting people to economic opportunities. This grant will help ensure that we can create good-paying, long-lasting jobs that will reinvigorate the region's economy for decades to come. I just couldn't be happier to see this happen for the region in which I grew up."

"I was proud to help fund the Recompete program-and I commend Representative Kilmer and Senator Cantwell for helping to make this grant program a reality," said Senator Murray. "Securing this highly competitive federal award is a testament to the ingenuity and hard work of countless local leaders, and the message is clear: the Peninsula is worth investing in and its future is bright. I look forward to seeing the difference this will make to help build opportunity for people across the North Olympic Peninsula, and, as Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, I'll keep working to bring federal dollars home to every part of Washington state to make sure that families in every community aren't just getting by-but can get ahead."

"This award is a powerful vote of confidence in the potential of Olympic Peninsula communities," said Senator Cantwell. "By building off the region's history and expertise in the marine and timber industries, and a decade of innovation in new materials like CLT and composites, this federal investment will help launch new products our economy needs for commerce and defense while growing the local manufacturing workforce. Today's announcement demonstrates the promise of the CHIPS & Science Act to support innovation and job creation in key sectors all across Washington and the nation."

The Recompete Pilot Program (Recompete) targets areas where prime-age (25-54 years) employment is significantly lower than the national average, with the goal of closing this gap through flexible, locally driven investments. Recompete aims to support local economic development, create quality jobs, invest in workers and businesses, and ensure sustainable success and economic growth by providing targeted assistance and resources to address the unique challenges of persistently distressed communities.

The Recompete Pilot Program was established by Rep. Kilmer's Rebuilding Economies and Creating Opportunities for More People Everywhere to Excel Act (RECOMPETE Act), which was signed into law, in pilot form, by President Biden in July 2022 as part of the CHIPS and Science Act. The CHIPS and Science Act is a sweeping investment in American innovation and manufacturing led by Sen. Cantwell and is a key part of the Biden-Harris Administration's Investing in America agenda. The statute authorized $1 billion for the program. To date, EDA has been appropriated $200 million for the program - funding that Senator Murray and Rep. Kilmer helped secure primarily in the FY23 government funding bills.

NOPRC is led by Clallam County and supported by Jefferson County, and has grown to include multiple municipalities, Tribes (Hoh, Makah, Jamestown S'Klallam, Lower Elwha Klallam, and Quileute), ports, economic development agencies, community-based organizations, educational institutions, and non-profits.

Out of 565 applications across 49 states, the North Olympic Peninsula Recompete Coalition was named one of twenty-two national Recompete Finalists as part of Phase 1 of the Distressed Area Recompete Pilot Program and is one of six awardees selected nationally for implementation funding. Since its creation, the Recompete Pilot Program has become the most popular program in the history of the EDA.

"The Biden-Harris Administration is dedicated to ensuring every community across the country has the resources and support to grow and thrive," said U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo. "These Recompete investments will address key economic drivers and revitalize communities by creating jobs and developing long-term economic growth - allowing each to chart a new path to prosperity in the modern economy."

"Through partnership with local communities, the Recompete program will make targeted, community-led investments to reduce unemployment," saidU.S. Assistant Secretary for Economic Development Alejandra Y. Castillo. "The Recompete awardees are bringing together a wide range of partners to develop integrated approaches to support Americans in accessing good jobs."

"With the leadership of President Biden and Vice President Harris, we are turning the page on a legacy of underinvestment and building an economy that gives every community a chance to get ahead," said White House National Economic Advisor Lael Brainard. "With funding from the Recompete program, communities around the country will be able to invest in child care and transportation to enable more working families to connect to good job opportunities in manufacturing and healthcare."

"This funding is a big boost for the North Olympic Peninsula's efforts to drive its own economic and environmental destiny," said Washington Governor Jay Inslee. "Using triple bottom line strategies, the North Olympic Peninsula has a plan for a sustainable, innovative, and resilient economy with important roles for industries like forestry and the marine trades. Their plan also focuses on removing barriers to employment such as childcare and workforce training. I am thrilled that the EDA has recognized the hard work and natural strengths of the Native Nations, businesses, and communities of Jefferson and Clallam Counties."

"The Clallam EDC, and the community in general, could not be more grateful to Rep. Kilmer for spearheading this visionary place-based economic program and helping us make it come to fruition," said Colleen McAleer, Executive Director of Clallam County EDC. "Clallam and Jefferson Counties will be forever improved by this substantial award. This is a win that so many in our communities sorely need!"

"Recompete will have a major impact on the regional economy by creating good jobs and providing the training and support to help people get and keep those jobs. I'm proud of the strong collaboration among local governments, Tribes, economic development organizations, educational institutions, nonprofit organizations and the private sector that made this award possible," said Karen Affeld, Executive Director of the North Olympic Development Council. "The North Olympic Development Council is excited to continue and build on this collaboration and to partner with Tribes and underserved areas like the City of Forks and the south Hood Canal community to ensure that the benefits of this program reach all corners of the region."

"This Recompete opportunity will transform the Olympic Peninsula," said Recompete Plan Coordinator Una Wirkebau. "We are honored to be the only finalist on the west coast, and absolutely thrilled to bring actionable steps to living wage jobs to our residents while also increasing the economic impact the marine and natural resources sectors have on the Northwest."

"Now more than ever is the time to invest in our future, and we're proud of the hard work done by Representative Kilmer and our coalition of regional partners to secure $35 million in funding for the North Olympic Peninsula through the Recompete Pilot Project," said Clallam County Commissioner Mike French. "Our investments in public infrastructure that supports the natural resources and maritime industries will create good jobs, and our investments in workforce development will connect our residents to those jobs and support them along the way."

"We are thrilled to hear that the North Olympic Recompete Coalition has been awarded this Recompete Grant. This grant will significantly impact our community and region, serving a large population by providing critical support for our workforce through a variety of avenues. These resources will strengthen our local communities' efforts, create new opportunities, and ensure a brighter future for all residents. This opportunity is a testament to the hard work of our peninsula banding together for a prosperous future," said Glenn Ellis Jr., Treasurer, Makah Tribal Council.

"We are very grateful for the Recompete grant funding that will enable the CRTC and the Makah Tribe to work in partnership to create new jobs and provide affordable housing opportunities for our community." said David Walter, Chief Executive Officer of the CRTC. "The beautiful timber milled by the Tribe will be converted into our Advanced Cross Laminated Timber panel in our Port Angeles Building innovation Center. It will allow us to create a quick erect wall panel, which will make Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU's) and tiny homes accessible and affordable. The grant funding will not only stimulate economic growth but will also improve the quality of life for our residents. We are extremely excited to embark on this transformative project and to continue to make a positive impact in our community."

"Jefferson County has been thrilled to be a part of the North Olympic Peninsula Recompete Coalition," said Jefferson County Commissioner Greg Brotherton. "Working together, we have developed a deeper understanding of our neighbors and partners on the Olympic Peninsula and with this award are excited to empower our prime age workforce as we develop our traditional economic sectors for a new era of environmentally sustainable economic development."

"The Jamestown S'Klallam Tribe is very excited that the North Olympic Recompete Plan has been accepted for Phase 2 implementation funding," said W Joe Allen, Executive Director of the Jamestown S'Klallam Economic Development Authority. "The Jamestown Tribe looks forward to seeing these funds enhance our Tribal and Local communities to further our collective vision of economic growth. This grant will help tribal families overcome common economic obstacles for the workforce in the area as well as assisting those looking to getting into the workforce who have difficulty overcoming those barriers."

"We are thrilled to be a part of this unique opportunity to turn dollars into living wage jobs on the Peninsula," said Betsy Davis, Executive Director of the Northwest School of Wooden Boatbuilding. "We look forward to doubling the size of our marine systems program while continuing to teach the timeless skills and values of craftsmanship. It is a tremendous honor to work alongside so many innovators and bold thinkers in our community."

"We are thrilled to announce that our application for the North Olympic Peninsula Recompete Grant has been successful. This grant will be a game changer for our rural county. Rural areas historically reliant upon a natural resource economy have been doing their best to recover as industries change, mills close, and technology evolves," said Cindy Brooks, Executive Director of EDC Team Jefferson. "The receipt of this award will allow us to focus on our most valuable asset, the people who live here. A primary grant focus is reducing barriers and providing training for local people who have been affected by changes in the global market affecting their jobs and ability to create a livelihood. The application process has already helped us question assumptions and plan together to preserve our heritage, increase local capacity, and align with the demands of the 21st century. We are excited about the opportunities this grant will bring to support sustainable development and strengthen our community."

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