Recompete 

Pilot Program

Phase 1 Program Overview

June 2023

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 Program Vision  Eligibility Criteria  Program Structure

Agenda

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Recompete Pilot Program Vision

The Recompete Pilot Program will invest $200 million in 

distressed communities across the country. The program 

targets areas where prime-age (25-54 years) employment 

significantly trails the national average.

The funding – deployed through a two-phase competition – will 

provide communities both strategy development planning 

grants and large, flexible, implementation awards.

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Recompete Pilot Program Principles

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EDA’s longstanding mission is to ensure that all communities 

have a path to economic prosperity – benefits of the program will 

be shared equitably and across diverse geographies

Equity and geographic 

diversity

E.g., areas where prominent industries have declined or 

disappeared, that were physically separated by highway 

construction, or that have endured decades of disinvestment

Focus on communities 

that have for too long 

been forgotten

Invest in programs and organizations that have a clear 

understanding of local conditions and pathways to create and 

connect people with good jobs

Create, and connect 

people to, good jobs

Local community leaders — public, private, civic, and labor —

are best positioned to build their own economic future; meet 

communities where they are by providing a full array of 

investments, projects, and tools

Place-based regional 

development
Appropriation vs. Authorization

$1 billion

What we’ve been appropriated 

(i.e., the funding EDA can 

deploy for the Recompete 

Pilot Program)

$200 million

The program’s authorization 

level (i.e., the current 

maximum funding over the 

full life of the program)

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 Program Goals  Eligibility Criteria  Program Structure

Agenda

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Eligibility Criteria – Recipient Type

 Political subdivision of a state

 Tribal government

 U.S. territory

 District of Columbia

 Nonprofit organization working in 

cooperation with a political subdivision of a 

state

 Economic Development District

 Consortium of any of the above

No specific type of eligible 

entity is any more or less 

competitive than other 

types of eligible entities –

some applicants may 

choose to submit as one 

entity while others may be 

a coalition. 

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Eligibility Criteria – Eligible Area (1/3)

 Recompete Pilot Program 

investments must be located in an 

Eligible Area, as determined by PAEG 

and other statutory requirements

 Applicants should use the 

Recompete Eligibility Mapping 

Tool (Mapping Tool) to identify these

 https://disgeoportal.egs.anl.gov/Reco

mpete/

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Eligibility Criteria – Eligible Area (2/3)

 The shaded regions on the map represent Eligible 

Service Areas for the Recompete Pilot Program

 “Service Area” is defined as the specific area(s) 

that an applicant chooses to focus their proposed 

interventions on:

• Will directly benefit through the Recompete Pilot 

Program, if the applicant is awarded

• Must be located within an eligible area on the map

• May cover all or a subset of the relevant eligible area

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Note that in this competition, 

EDA is targeting geographies 

where a high prime-age 

employment gap exists 

because meaningful 

employment is not available 

and/or barriers keep people 

out of the workforce, not 

places where demographic 

trends lead to high PAEG 

(e.g., high numbers of 

financially secure early 

retirees or people pursuing 

higher education).
Eligibility Criteria – Eligible Area (3/3)

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1. Local Labor Market (LLM) 

In Yellow/Green on the map

Fully eligible (PAEG at least 2.5%):

 Metropolitan Statistical Areas

 Micropolitan Statistical Areas

 Commuting Zones

 Tribal lands

*All Tribal lands and Pacific Ocean 

Territories are eligible

2. Local Community (LC)

An area served by a general-purpose unit of local 

government (e.g., counties, municipalities) located 

within, but not fully covering, an ineligible LLM and 

either:

 In Dark Blue: The entire area served by the unit of 

local government is eligible; OR

 In Light Blue: A subset of Census tracts within 

the area is eligible, but the full area served by the 

unit of local government is not. In this instance, the 

applicant’s service area must be contained within 

the identified Census tracts.

The Mapping Tool shows two types of eligible geographic areas. Note that no specific type is 

any more or less competitive than others (i.e., Local Labor Markets vs. Local Communities).
Why Local "Communities" and "Labor Markets"?

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 A smaller area—neighborhood, city, county, etc.—

within a larger labor market that is doing relatively 

well overall.

 Residents within the eligible lack access to good jobs 

in the broader region, creating the need to connect 

workers to jobs.

2. Local Community

 One or more counties that account for most daily 

commutes by workers.

 Often a lack of good jobs across the entire region, 

creating the need to create jobs.

1. Local Labor Market

Different communities need different investments to address joblessness. The local community 

and labor markets eligibility is meant to ensure the Recompete program addresses different 

local workforce needs.

The LC/LLM distinction is a general typology; each community has its own needs and 

should create their own strategy and investment portfolio based on those unique needs.
Recompete Plans: Sample Implementation Projects

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 Sector-specific workforce training (e.g., a sectoral 

partnership, Registered Apprenticeship/preapprenticeship, community college programs)

 Consistent and reliable transportation, usually by 

providing access to existing transport

 Wraparound or supportive services (e.g., 

child/long-term care, onsite health services, transport 

assistance)

 Other active labor market support (e.g., 

community mentorship programs, job search 

assistance, post-placement success coaching) 

 Economic development capacity and leadership

(e.g., governance)

2. Connect Workers to Jobs, for example:

 Critical enabling infrastructure (e.g., brownfield 

redevelopment, workforce training centers near workers)

 Anchor institution partnerships (e.g., anchor firms, 

ports, community colleges, universities)

 Sector-specific support and training for highdemand local sectors and jobs (e.g., a sectoral 

partnership)

 Remote worker training and connection programs

(e.g., with employers outside a labor market)

 Wraparound or supportive services (e.g., child/longterm care, onsite health services, transport assistance)

 Economic development capacity and leadership 

(e.g., governance)

1. Create Jobs, for example:

EDA expects Implementation Grants will fund two general economic development intervention 

approaches (or a mix of both). To address a high PAEG, regions might:

Recompete Plan Approval Only
 Program Goals  Eligibility Criteria  Program Structure • Strategy Development Grants • Recompete Plan Approval • Application Requirements for All Applicants

Agenda

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Program Structure – Two-Phase Competition

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Phase 1

Jun 29

– Oct 5 

at 11:59 

pm ET

Phase 2

Launch 

this 

winter

Application options

(1) Strategy Development Grant Only 

(each $250-500K, up to $750K rarely)

(2) Recompete Plan Approval Only 

(no $, but invited to apply for Phase 2)

(3) Both (Strat. Dev. funding and

invited to apply for Phase 2)

Implementation investment proposal 

consisting of 3-8 complementary 

projects per region (total investment 

on average $20-50M, per region)

Total awarded

$6-12M total awarded 

in Strategy 

Development Grants 

and 20+ Recompete 

Plans approved 

across all Phase 1 

applicants

4-8 regions awarded 

(out of 20+ Finalists)

All applicants 

receiving Strat. 

Dev. Grants and / 

or Recompete Plan 

approval in Phase 

1 will also receive 

additional technical 

assistance from 

EDA, in the period 

between Phase 1 

and the Phase 2 

NOFO deadline.
Program Structure – Phase 1 Application Options

Apply for (1) a Strategy Development Grant, (2) Recompete Plan Approval, or (3) both

(2) Recompete Plan 

Approval Only

“Our region is ready to apply 

for Implementation funding 

and does not need additional 

resources to put together a 

strong Phase 2 application.”

(1) Strategy Development 

Grant Only

“Our region has relevant 

ideas, leaders, and/or assets, 

but we need to do significantly 

more coordination and 

planning to be ready for 

Implementation funding. We 

do not wish to apply for 

Implementation funding under 

the upcoming Phase 2 

NOFO.”

(3) Both Strat. Dev. Grant &

Recompete Plan Approval

“Our region has an 

understanding of how to 

address low prime age 

employment and is close to 

being ready to apply for 

Implementation funding. 

Additional resources would 

strengthen our coordination, 

planning, and Phase 2 

application development.”

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Strategy Development Grants

Evaluation criteria:

1. Regional conditions assessment and preliminary 

idea of the assets and potential interventions 

needed (15 points); 

2. Potential of proposed Strategy Development 

activities (15 points); 

3. Organizational and leadership capacity (15 points); 

and

4. Efficient and appropriate project budget (15 points)

Definition: Funding to 

support a region’s 

ability to further 

develop a Recompete 

Plan and carry out 

related 

predevelopment 

activities

Each $250-500K and 

up to $750K in rare 

circumstances; in 

Phase 1, ~$6-12M 

total to be funded

Strategy Development Grants Only 16
Recompete Plans

Evaluation criteria:

1. Understanding of regional conditions and needs 

(15 points);

2. Strength of strategy and quality of potential 

investments (15 points);

3. Equity, inclusivity, and diversity (15 points);

4. Regional assets (9 points);

5. Targeted geographic approach (9 points); and

6. Partnerships and potential commitments (9 points)

Definition: A multiyear plan for reducing 

the region’s Prime Age 

Employment Gap

No funding 

associated, however 

applicants need an 

approved Recompete 

Plan to apply for 

implementation 

funding in Phase 2

Recompete Plan Approval Only 17
Regional conditions and needs (15 points)

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 How does persistent economic distress show up in your community, based on 

the PAEG and other qualitative / quantitative data?

 What conditions are contributing to your region’s economic distress?

 What barriers to economic growth exist, especially those tied to the PAEG? 

Which of these are addressable?

 What are the different targeted populations in your service area, and how do 

your answers to the above change for any of these groups?

Recompete Plan Approval Only
Strategy and potential investments (15 points)

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 What interventions are needed to address your region’s persistent economic 

distress, based on your regional conditions and needs? Please identify 3-8 

(preliminary) proposed projects.*

 Why did you prioritize these interventions for Recompete funding? In other 

words, why EDA funding, and why now?

 What research, experience, or other information informed your proposed 

interventions and their potential impact?

Recompete Plan Approval Only

*Applicants may also use the “High-Level Recompete Plan Budget Narrative” template provided on the 

EDA website to articulate 3-8 proposed projects (does not count towards page limit).
Equity, inclusivity, and diversity (15 points)

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 How will benefits be shared equitably across all affected populations in the 

identified service area?

 How were underserved communities engaged in building this application and the 

Recompete Plan? How does your leadership team reflect diversity and inclusion?

 Are there organizations, stakeholders, or populations to engage that previously 

have not been involved in regional economic development efforts?

 What are your equity goals and how will you hold your team accountable to them?

Recompete Plan Approval Only
Regional assets (9 points)

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 What regional assets – industries, leadership & partnerships natural assets, 

built infrastructure, educational institutions, and others – could contribute to 

your Recompete efforts?

 How do you plan on using these assets to alleviate persistent economic 

distress?

 Conversely, how might implementation funding further unlock the potential of 

your regional assets?

Recompete Plan Approval Only
Targeted geographic approach (9 points)

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 What is the specific service area that will benefit from Recompete funding, and 

why was it selected?*

 What types of impact will Recompete funding have on the service area over the 

next 5 years? Over the next 10?

 Specifically, what types of jobs do you anticipate creating or placing people into, 

based on your knowledge of the service area and economic trends?

 How will you ensure economic benefits are accrued to the service area over 

time? How will they be retained?

Recompete Plan Approval Only

*Applicants may also use the “Eligible / Service Area List Template” provided on the EDA website to 

describe the service area of focus (does not count towards page limit).
Partnerships and potential commitments (9 points)

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 Which regional partners – community-based organizations, local government, 

state actors, philanthropies, private sector, unions, and others – are critical to 

the Recompete effort? Why are they uniquely situated to support this work?

 What types of potential commitments from them would move the needle on 

persistent economic distress in your region, based on your regional conditions 

and needs? Recall – commitments can be both financial but also 

policy/practice-related or other types of contributions.

 How are you designing partnerships such that they last through (and beyond) 

the duration of the grant?

 What potential resources can be leveraged?

Recompete Plan Approval Only
What is the Recompete Plan Coordinator (RPC)?

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EDA believes local 

champions and 

change agents are 

essential; investments 

are only successful 

with the right 

leadership, including 

that which reflects the 

diverse populations 

they serve.

The RPC role is meant 

to coordinate across 

relevant entities to help 

ensure successful 

Recompete Plan 

implementation.

For Phase 1, all applicants should provide a strategy for identifying 

the right leadership team for their community – it is not expected that 

applicants at this stage have identified an RPC. Having an RPC or a 

plan to hire one will be a requirement for Phase 2.

Specific role obligations can and should vary based on regional 

assets and needs – sample thought starters include:

 Lead the development of regional priorities as related to Recompete

 Catalyze strong, lasting partnerships across the region – both 

building on existing partnerships and forging new ones

 If awarded implementation funding, oversee overall project progress, 

ensuring all efforts move forward in coordination with each other

 Identify follow-on funding strategies and opportunities to support 

long-term sustainability

Both Strategy Development Grants and Recompete Plans
A final note on Potential Commitments

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EDA’s investments 

are most effective 

when combined with 

local action to change 

or reform policies, 

practices, and 

outcomes making it 

harder for people to 

access work. 

Successful Phase 2 

awardees will have 

credible, specific, 

and timely 

commitments to 

making such changes 

in their communities.

Commitments should be:

 Driven by community needs: Commitments should reflect a clear 

sense of the relevant stakeholders necessary for success

 Bold and creative: The Recompete Pilot Program is intended to 

allow maximum flexibility; applicants should think innovatively about 

the types of commitments their communities need

 Quality over quantity: EDA considers quality of commitments more 

than sheer volume

In Phase 1, applicants should begin thinking about commitments, though 

fully developed and agreed upon commitments are not expected 

until Phase 2.

For more best practices and examples, please keep an eye on EDA’s 

Recompete website for additional resources coming soon.

Both Strategy Development Grants and Recompete Plans
Interested in applying?

 Read the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO)

 Explore the Mapping Tool for geographic eligibility

 Access additional supporting materials on the EDA Recompete Pilot 

Program website, such as:

 Frequently Asked Questions

 Supplemental Guides (e.g., Menu of Community Commitments)

 Application Templates (e.g., Application Checklist)

 Stay tuned for an Application Walkthrough Webinar later this summer

 Sign up for EDA’s Communications to stay up to date

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Questions?

Reach out to the Recompete Program Office at Recompete@eda.gov 

Visit the Recompete Pilot Program website at 

https://www.eda.gov/funding/programs/recompete-pilot-program

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