Good Jobs Challenge – Grant Application Opportunity

Workforce Services Information Notice
WSIN21-18

Issued: October 13, 2021

The Economic Development Administration (EDA), U.S. Department of Commerce announces the availability of up to $500 million for the Fiscal Year 2021 American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Good Jobs Challenge to fund approximately 25 to 50 awards ranging from $1 million to $25 million. The EDA aims to assist communities and regions impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The goal of the ARPA Good Jobs Challenge is to develop and strengthen regional workforce training systems that support sectoral partnerships, design sectoral partnerships, and implement sectoral partnerships that will place Americans in high-quality jobs.

The system or partnership should be led by a System Lead Entity or Backbone Organization, serving as an intermediary that has convening power in the region and the capacity to coordinate engagement and collaboration across all stakeholders. The EDA anticipates funding the following three phases of regional workforce training systems/sectoral partnerships: system development, program design, and program implementation.

Eligible applicants include (1) a district organization of an EDA-designated Economic Development District; (2) an Indian tribe or consortium of tribes; (3) a state, county, city, or other political subdivision of a state, including a special purpose unit of a state or local government engaged in economic or infrastructure development activities, or a consortium of political subdivisions; (4) an institution of higher education or a consortium of institutions of higher education; or (5) public or private non-profit organizations or associations, as well as labor unions, acting in cooperation with officials of a general-purpose political subdivision of a state. The closing date for receipt of proposals is January 26, 2022.

For more information about the grant opportunity, visit the grants.gov website and reference EDA-HDQ-ARPGJ-2021-2006964. For a complete description of the funding organization, available funds, eligibility requirements, and links to the grant application, visit the EDA website.

/s/ KIMBERLEE MEYER, Chief
Central Office Workforce Services Division