# Plain Language Summary of the RECOMPETE Act

The RECOMPETE Act is designed to help economically distressed communities compete for federal funding and economic development opportunities. The bill recognizes that some regions have fallen behind economically and need extra support to attract investment and create jobs. It does this by making it easier for struggling communities to qualify for federal grants, contracts, and other economic development programs that are normally reserved for areas meeting certain poverty or unemployment thresholds.

Essentially, the law expands who can access these federal economic development resources by updating how communities are classified and measured. Instead of using outdated data that might not reflect current economic conditions, the bill allows communities to use more recent information to demonstrate their need. This means a town that has experienced recent job losses or population decline can now access federal support programs more quickly, rather than waiting years for official statistics to catch up to their reality. The goal is to help these communities rebuild their economies by giving them access to the same federal assistance programs that other struggling areas receive.

For everyday people, this matters because it could bring federal investment to your community if you live in an area that's economically struggling. Federal grants and contracts can fund infrastructure projects, job training programs, small business support, and other initiatives that create employment and improve local conditions. If your region qualifies under the RECOMPETE Act's expanded criteria, your community might gain access to these resources that could lead to better job opportunities and economic growth in your area.

RECOMPETE Act

Coons, Christopher A.

Rebuilding Economies and Creating Opportunities for More People To Excel Act or the RECOMPETE Act This bill establishes a grant program to assist economically distressed local communities and labor markets that meet specified economic criteria, including employment criteria. The Economic Development Administration (EDA) must award 10-year grants to a local government, tribal government, economic development district, or consortium of local government units located in such areas. Each grant recipient must develop and implement a comprehensive strategy to address the economic challenges specific to the area. The grants may be used to increase employment opportunities, increase local per capita income, support economic development, and develop infrastructure and housing. Additionally, the EDA must periodically evaluate each grant recipient based on certain benchmark criteria and annually report on the implementation of the program. The bill specifies formulas for determining the grant amount for each community or market and the federal share of the cost of each program or activity conducted under the program.