$35 Million From Cantwell-Championed Program Awarded to Boost North Olympic Peninsula Economy

08.05.24

$35 Million From Cantwell-Championed Program Awarded to Boost North Olympic Peninsula Economy

Sen. Cantwell helped authorize $1 billion for Recompete program in landmark CHIPS and Science Act

EDMONDS, WA - Today, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), chair of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, announced $35 million for the North Olympic Peninsula Recompete Coalition (NOPRC) to support long-term economic development and job growth in the North Olympic Peninsula. This funding comes from the Recompete Pilot Program, a five-year federal program secured by U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) and U.S. Rep. Derek Kilmer (D, WA-06).

"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."

Sen. Cantwell fought to include the Recompete Pilot Program in her landmark CHIPS and Science Act, one of the largest federal investments in American science and technology research, innovation and manufacturing. The CHIPS and Science Act included a $1 billion authorization for the 5-year pilot program. Rep. Kilmer originally authored the program under the Rebuilding Economies and Creating Opportunities for More People Everywhere to Excel Act (RECOMPETE Act). To date, the Economic Development Administration (EDA) has been appropriated $200 million for the program.

Sen. Cantwell helped secure a $500,000 Strategy Development Grant for NOPRC in December 2023.

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.

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.

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 final grant amount will be confirmed in the coming months.

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