By Mitch Coppes, Government Relations Senior Specialist, Goodwill Industries International
The U.S. Department of Commerce recently hosted the first national summit of community organizations to promote the relaunch of the department’s Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo spoke at the event and urged community-based organizations to take an active role in implementing major new federal investments in infrastructure, broadband, digital equity, and manufacturing in their communities. Sec. Raimondo also noted that these funds can be used to support workforce development initiatives for in-demand industry sectors and occupations.
Specifically, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act provides $2.75 billion to establish three grant programs that promote digital inclusion and equity to ensure that target populations and communities, including low-income families, aging individuals, veterans, justice-involved individuals, and people with disabilities, have the skills, technology, and capacity needed to reap the full benefits of our digital economy. Local Goodwill® organizations can help to address equity gaps in broadband access, digital skills, and digital literacy in their states by contributing to the development and implementation of State Digital Equity Plans. Goodwills will also be able to apply directly for the Digital Equity Competitive Grant Program that can fund a range of local digital equity activities, including implementing training programs that cover basic, advanced, and applied digital skills.
In addition, there are several programs that primarily award funding to states and localities for the expansion of broadband access to unserved or underserved communities that can also support workforce development, skills training, and related activities in collaboration with community-based organizations. The Middle Mile Grants Program requires state and local applicants to engage in partnerships with organizations that provide skills-based training and wrap-around services to support workers building middle mile broadband infrastructure. Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment Program funds may be used to expand network facilities to provide broadband service to community anchor institutions, provide training and workforce development, and implement digital equity programs. Learn more about these federal broadband infrastructure programs here.
The Department of Commerce is also responsible for administering programs authorized by the CHIPS and Science Act, which funds initiatives to support domestic semiconductor research, development, and manufacturing. It authorizes $10 billion for Regional Technology and Innovation Hubs and $1 billion for the Distressed Areas Recompete program — both programs offer competitive funding that promotes workforce development activities for in-demand careers in technology. Local Goodwill organizations can be part of regional consortia to apply for funding through these programs. Goodwills can also partner with local governments to apply for the Recompete Pilot Program to assist persistently distressed communities with economic development and job creation. These funding opportunities will be rolled out in the coming months.
