by Mitch Coppes, Government Relations Senior Specialist, Goodwill Industries International
Goodwill Industries International (GII) representatives joined other stakeholders for a Nonprofit Partnerships Summit at the U.S. Department of Commerce. Officials from the Commerce Department and other federal agencies shared information about their programs, resources, technical assistance, and funding opportunities for nonprofit partners to explore. Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Alejandra Castillo spoke about the need for the federal government to partner with community organizations on the implementation of major new investments in infrastructure workforce development, digital equity, jobs in technology sectors, and economic recovery for distressed communities.
Specifically, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law 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 upcoming Digital Equity Competitive Grant Program that will fund a range of local digital equity activities, including implementing training programs that cover basic, advanced, and applied digital skills.
Federal officials highlighted other funding opportunities that can support regional and local workforce development efforts. The CHIPS and Sciences Act provides funding for initiatives that promote domestic semiconductor research, development and manufacturing. The Department of Commerce is responsible for administering funding for Regional Technology and Innovation Hubs, as well as a new Distressed Areas Recompete program. The announcement of Phase 1 funding for the Regional Technology and Innovation Hubs program indicates that Tech Hubs consortia will focus on holistic approaches to recruiting, training, and retaining a skilled and diverse workforce that will contribute to U.S. technological competitiveness and help spur the creation of new jobs and support opportunities for workers at all skill levels. Local Goodwill organizations can be part of regional consortia to apply for funding through this program. Learn more about applying for the Tech Hubs funding opportunity at grants.gov. The Distressed Area Recompete Pilot Program will invest $200 million toward interventions that drive economic activity in geographically diverse and persistently distressed communities across the country. The Commerce Department will release a detailed notice of funding opportunity later this month. Additional information about the Recompete Pilot Program and an Eligibility Mapping Tool are available at eda.gov/Recompete. We encourage local Goodwills to explore these funding opportunities. GII will continue to engage with our federal partners to bring the unique perspectives of Goodwill members to the implementation of important new investments in the communities they serve.
