U.S. Department of Commerce Announces $3 Billion Investment in America’s Communities

U.S. Department of Commerce Announces $3 Billion Investment in America’s Communities

As we previously shared, earlier this month, the U.S. Department of Commerce announced a historic investment in workforce that may benefit you and your members directly. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce has been working with Department staff over the last few months to ensure a focus on authentically employer-led partnerships to create pathways to good, in-demand jobs and to support the economic recovery.

As many of you know through your participation in the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation's Talent Pipeline Management (TPM)® initiative, the business community plays a critical role in workforce development. Therefore, chambers of commerce, economic development organizations, and business associations are all well-positioned to apply for these federal dollars and we want to provide you support in doing so.

Please review the following resources which provide an overview of investment and important details you should know:

• Official Press Release from the U.S. Department of Commerce
• Investing in America’s Communities Fact Sheet

ICYMI: U.S. Department of Commerce Workforce Investment Informational Webinar

Last week, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation and the U.S. Department of Commerce hosted an informational webinar on the newly announced series of programs—collectively called Investing in America’s Communities—to equitably invest the $3 billion it received from President Biden’s American Rescue Plan Act to help communities across the country build back better.

During this webinar, representatives from the U.S. Department of Commerce—including Deputy Assistant Secretary for Policy Michele Chang, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Regional Affairs Craig Buerstatte, Deputy Chief Counsel Chris Anderson, and Program Operations Coordinator Shelby Wenner—provided an overview of the program, and answered questions to help get you started in the application process.

If you weren't able to join the program live, or would like to watch it again, please click here to access the recording using the passcode k^7WRtbm.

NEW! Wednesday, August 11, 2021: Good Jobs Challenge Workgroup Meeting

As mentioned during the webinar, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation will be launching a workgroup—focused on the “Good Jobs Challenge”—which will meet periodically to share information, provide technical assistance and address questions throughout the next six months. To register for the first of these meetings—which will take place on Wednesday, August 11, 2021 at 4:00 p.m. ET, please click here.