NEW: Four Indiana proposals – including from the IEDC – were submitted to the U.S. Department of Commerce for Rescue Plan’s Good Jobs Challenge

INDIANAPOLIS – The Indiana Democratic Party, the organization that advocates for the future of Indiana and its families, today celebrated the brighter future the American Rescue Plan is STILL creating for the Hoosier State. This time, the Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC) formally applied to receive more funding through the American Rescue Plan’s Good Jobs Challenge. If awarded, these investments will help workers attain in-demand skills that will help them land good-paying jobs. This opportunity is on top of the $500 million already allotted by the Rescue Plan to fully-fund the state’s READI program, a regional economic development initiative aimed to spur job growth in all corners of the state. 

Indiana Democrats delivered this bright economic future for Hoosier families – no matter where they live. The same cannot be said for Indiana Republicans who flat out voted “NO” on these investments. In fact, Indiana GOP Chairman Kyle Hupfer called these infrastructure projects “socialism” and claimed their opposition to jobs was a “great campaign to run on”. Democrats will highlight the Republicans’ “NO” record throughout the statewide “The Jobs Tour”. Voters will learn that while Democrats delivered Indiana’s bright economic future, Republicans divided communities with their culture wars. 

Below is a look at the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Good Jobs Challenge announcement: 

Full list of applicants can be found by clicking here

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE ANNOUNCES STRONG RESPONSE TO THE GOOD JOBS CHALLENGE, DEMONSTRATING APPLICANTS’ COMMITMENT TO CREATING NEW OPPORTUNITIES FOR AMERICA’S WORKFORCE

Today, the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) announced that it has received 509 applications for its American Rescue Plan Good Jobs Challenge program. Applicants represent significant interest from a diverse range of stakeholders in communities across America: EDA received applications from partnerships in all States, territories and the District of Columbia, and applicant partnerships are comprised of State, local and Tribal governments, Institutions of Higher Education, non-profit organizations, and organized labor. Together, these applicants demonstrate a strong commitment to supporting underserved communities and groups with barriers to employment. The high interest in the program shows the need for workforce development opportunities for communities, workers, and businesses across the country.

The Good Jobs Challenge is designed to help get Americans back to work by developing holistic regional workforce systems with strong sectoral and employer partnerships that will lead to good-paying jobs.

This $500 million EDA investment will build and strengthen workforce systems and industry partnerships, providing new opportunities for America’s workforce to develop in-demand skills that lead to good-paying jobs in high-demand fields. By making equity a top priority and investing in wraparound services, this investment is focused on removing barriers to training, particularly for those workers hit hardest by the pandemic, including women and people of color. EDA anticipates making approximately 25 to 50 awards.

“The Biden Administration is committed to developing employer-driven partnerships that respond to the talent and training needs of companies across the country while also leading to good-paying jobs for the American people,” said Secretary of Commerce Gina M. Raimondo. “The Good Jobs Challenge will connect workforce training programs with industries and businesses to create a pipeline of skilled workers and help remove barriers for Americans to access good-paying jobs through training and wrap-around services.”

“The Good Jobs Challenge is designed to build up a strong workforce, which will lead to a stronger economy,” said Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Alejandra Y. Castillo. “The applicants represent hundreds of local partnerships dedicated to working together to create new opportunities and pathways towards financial security to lift up American workers with training and support that leads to good-paying jobs.”

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