RECOMPETE Act — S. 2464, 117th Congress, 1st Session (To require the Secretary of Commerce)
Summary
S. 2464, the Rebuilding Economies and Creating Opportunities for More People to Excel Act (the RECOMPETE Act), is a bill introduced in the Senate on July 22, 2021 by Mr. Coons. Its stated purpose is to require the Secretary of Commerce, acting through the Assistant Secretary for Economic Development, to establish a RECOMPETE grant program providing flexible, 10-year block grants for persistently distressed areas. The closing provision states that the Federal share determined for a recipient shall not be decreased by more than 10 percent compared to the preceding period or 30 percent in total, and shall be not less than 50 percent.
Summary drafted by a model from the document's text below and checked by script against that text before publication. It is a navigation aid, not a reading of what the document proves. Where AI is used
- Issuer
- Congressional materials
Cite this document
“RECOMPETE Act — S. 2464, 117th Congress, 1st Session (To require the Secretary of Commerce).”
Original at www.govinfo.gov. Archived at Pandemic Darlings, https://pandemicdarlings.com/source-documents/bills-bills-117s2464is-bills-117s2464is/
, SHA-256 246b41a0eb389e1be8ac2a5efba055cc9472c19bbf9e91146646e97e5085d739.Full text
II
117TH CONGRESS
1ST SESSION
S. 2464
To require the Secretary of Commerce, acting through the Assistant Secretary
for Economic Development, to establish a RECOMPETE grant program
to provide flexible, 10-year block grants for purposes of creating quality
jobs, providing resources to help local residents access opportunities
and attain and retain employment, increasing local per capita income
and employment rates, and supporting long-term, sustained economic
growth and opportunity in persistently distressed areas, and for other
purposes.
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
JULY 22, 2021
Mr. COONS (for himself, Mr. BENNET, Ms. KLOBUCHAR, and Ms. ROSEN) in-
troduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Com-
mittee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation
A BILL
To require the Secretary of Commerce, acting through the
Assistant Secretary for Economic Development, to estab-
lish a RECOMPETE grant program to provide flexible,
10-year block grants for purposes of creating quality
jobs, providing resources to help local residents access
opportunities and attain and retain employment, increas-
ing local per capita income and employment rates, and
supporting long-term, sustained economic growth and op-
portunity in persistently distressed areas, and for other
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS
purposes.
VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:06 Jul 24, 2021 Jkt 019200 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6652 E:\BILLS\S2464.IS S2464
2
1 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
2 tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
3 SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
4 This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Rebuilding Economies
5 and Creating Opportunities for More People to Excel Act’’
6 or the ‘‘RECOMPETE Act’’.
7 SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.
8 In this Act:
9 (1) APPLICABLE AREA.—The term ‘‘applicable
10 area’’—
11 (A) with respect to a local labor market,
12 local community, or partial local labor market—
13 (i) means—
14 (I) the geographical area of the
15 local labor market, local community,
16 or partial local labor market; and
17 (II) each corresponding unit of
18 local government in the geographical
19 area described in subclause (I); and
20 (ii) does not include any Tribal land
21 in the geographical area described in
22 clause (i)(I), unless the Tribal government
23 with jurisdiction over the Tribal land elects
24 to participate in an applicable cooperation
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS
25 agreement under section 3(b)(2)(B); and
•S 2464 IS
VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:06 Jul 24, 2021 Jkt 019200 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\S2464.IS S2464
3
1 (B) with respect to a Tribal government,
2 means the Tribal land subject to the jurisdic-
3 tion of the Tribal government.
4 (2) APPLICANT.—The term ‘‘applicant’’
5 means—
6 (A) a unit of general local government,
7 such as a county or a county equivalent (includ-
8 ing a borough in the State of Alaska and a par-
9 ish in the State of Louisiana), city, town, vil-
10 lage, or other general-purpose political subdivi-
11 sion of a State;
12 (B) the District of Columbia;
13 (C) a territory or possession of the United
14 States;
15 (D) a Tribal government;
16 (E) a State-authorized political subdivision
17 or other entity, such as a special-purpose entity
18 engaged in economic development activities;
19 (F) a public or private nonprofit organiza-
20 tion, acting in cooperation with the officials of
21 a political subdivision or entity described in
22 subparagraph (E);
23 (G) an economic development district (as
24 defined in section 3 of the Public Works and
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS
•S 2464 IS
VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:06 Jul 24, 2021 Jkt 019200 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\S2464.IS S2464
4
1 Economic Development Act of 1965 (42 U.S.C.
2 3122)); and
3 (H) a consortium of units of general local
4 government within an applicable area.
5 (3) COOPERATION AGREEMENT.—The term
6 ‘‘cooperation agreement’’ means an agreement en-
7 tered into under section 3(b) relating to the imple-
8 mentation of a RECOMPETE plan for an applicable
9 area.
10 (4) ELIGIBLE.—The term ‘‘eligible’’ means—
11 (A) with respect to a local labor market,
12 local community, partial local labor market, or
13 Tribal government, that the local labor market,
14 local community, partial local labor market, or
15 Tribal government meets the applicable distress
16 eligibility criteria described in section 3(a); and
17 (B) with respect to an applicant or lead
18 entity, that the applicant or lead entity has sub-
19 mitted an application for a RECOMPETE
20 grant under section 4(a)(2) relating to a local
21 labor market, local community, partial local
22 labor market, or Tribal government described in
23 subparagraph (A).
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS
•S 2464 IS
VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:06 Jul 24, 2021 Jkt 019200 PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\S2464.IS S2464
5
1 (5) LEAD ENTITY.—The term ‘‘lead entity’’
2 means an applicant designated to act as a lead enti-
3 ty pursuant to an applicable cooperation agreement.
4 (6) LOCAL COMMUNITY.—
5 (A) IN GENERAL.—The term ‘‘local com-
6 munity’’ means the area served by an applicant
7 described in paragraph (2)(A) that—
8 (i)(I) is located within a local labor
9 market or partial local labor market that is
10 not eligible; or
11 (II) is not coexistent with a local labor
12 market; and
13 (ii) meets such additional criteria, in-
14 cluding a minimum population require-
15 ment, as the Secretary may establish.
16 (B) INCLUSIONS.—The term ‘‘local com-
17 munity’’ includes a consortium of 2 or more ap-
18 plicants described in subparagraph (A)—
19 (i) all of which are located within the
20 same local labor market; or
21 (ii) each of which is directly adjacent
22 to an area described in subparagraph (A).
23 (7) LOCAL LABOR MARKET.—The term ‘‘local
24 labor market’’ means any of the following areas that
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS
•S 2464 IS
VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:06 Jul 24, 2021 Jkt 019200 PO 00000 Frm 00005 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\S2464.IS S2464
6
1 contains 1 or more applicants described in subpara-
2 graphs (A) through (C) of paragraph (2):
3 (A) A commuting zone, as defined by the
4 Economic Research Service of the Department
5 of Agriculture.
6 (B) Subject to subparagraph (C), if 1 or
7 more discrete metropolitan statistical areas or
8 micropolitan statistical areas, as defined by the
9 Office of Management and Budget (collectively
10 referred to as ‘‘core-based statistical areas’’),
11 exist within a commuting zone described in sub-
12 paragraph (A), each such core-based statistical
13 area.
14 (C) If the remaining area of a commuting
15 zone described in subparagraph (A), excluding
16 all core-based statistical areas within the com-
17 muting zone described in subparagraph (B),
18 contains 1 or fewer counties and has a popu-
19 lation of 7,500 or fewer residents, that remain-
20 ing area combined with an adjacent core-based
21 statistical area within the commuting zone.
22 (8) PARTIAL LOCAL LABOR MARKET.—The
23 term ‘‘partial local labor market’’ means a geo-
24 graphical area that—
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS
•S 2464 IS
VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:06 Jul 24, 2021 Jkt 019200 PO 00000 Frm 00006 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\S2464.IS S2464
7
1 (A) is located within, but is not coextensive
2 with, a local labor market; and
3 (B) contains 1 or more applicants de-
4 scribed in subparagraphs (A) through (C) of
5 paragraph (2).
6 (9) PRIME-AGE.—The term ‘‘prime-age’’ means
7 individuals between the ages of 25 years and 54
8 years.
9 (10) PRIME-AGE EMPLOYMENT GAP.—
10 (A) IN GENERAL.—The term ‘‘prime-age
11 employment gap’’, with respect to an applicable
12 area, means the difference (expressed as a per-
13 centage), calculated in accordance with sub-
14 paragraph (B), between—
15 (i) the national 5-year average prime-
16 age employment rate; and
17 (ii) the 5-year average prime-age em-
18 ployment rate of the applicable area.
19 (B) CALCULATION.—For purposes of cal-
20 culating the prime-age employment gap under
21 subparagraph (A), an applicant shall use data
22 relating to the most recent 5-year period for
23 which data are available preceding the first date
24 of the application period established for the ap-
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS
25 plicant under section 4(a)(2)(B).
•S 2464 IS
VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:06 Jul 24, 2021 Jkt 019200 PO 00000 Frm 00007 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\S2464.IS S2464
8
1 (11) PRIME-AGE EMPLOYMENT RATE.—
2 (A) IN GENERAL.—The term ‘‘prime-age
3 employment rate’’, with respect to an applicable
4 area, means the quotient (expressed as a per-
5 centage), calculated in accordance with sub-
6 paragraph (B), obtained by dividing—
7 (i) the 5-year average quantity of the
8 prime-age population of the applicable area
9 that is employed; by
10 (ii) the total prime-age population of
11 the applicable area.
12 (B) CALCULATION.—For purposes of cal-
13 culating the prime-age employment rate under
14 subparagraph (A), an applicant shall use data
15 relating to the most recent 5-year period for
16 which data are available preceding the first date
17 of the application period established for the ap-
18 plicant under section 4(a)(2)(B).
19 (12) RECIPIENT.—The term ‘‘recipient’’ means,
20 as applicable—
21 (A) an applicant to which a RECOMPETE
22 grant is provided; or
23 (B) a lead entity designated pursuant to a
24 cooperation agreement entered into under sec-
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS
•S 2464 IS
VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:06 Jul 24, 2021 Jkt 019200 PO 00000 Frm 00008 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\S2464.IS S2464
9
1 tion 3(b) for an applicable area for which a RE-
2 COMPETE grant is provided.
3 (13) RECOMPETE GRANT.—The term ‘‘RE-
4 COMPETE grant’’ means a grant provided to a re-
5 cipient under section 4(a).
6 (14) RECOMPETE PLAN.—The term ‘‘RE-
7 COMPETE plan’’ means a plan developed by an ap-
8 plicant under section 4(b).
9 (15) SECRETARY.—The term ‘‘Secretary’’
10 means the Secretary of Commerce, acting through
11 the Assistant Secretary for Economic Development.
12 (16) SUBRECIPIENT.—The term ‘‘subrecipient’’
13 means an applicant located within an applicable area
14 that—
15 (A) is not a recipient; but
16 (B) receives funds provided under a RE-
17 COMPETE grant in such manner and in such
18 amounts as may be agreed to in the RECOM-
19 PETE plan for the applicable area.
20 (17) TRIBAL GOVERNMENT.—The term ‘‘Tribal
21 government’’ means the recognized governing body
22 of any Indian or Alaska Native tribe, band, nation,
23 pueblo, village, community, component band, or com-
24 ponent reservation, individually identified (including
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS
25 parenthetically) in the list published by the Bureau
•S 2464 IS
VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:06 Jul 24, 2021 Jkt 019200 PO 00000 Frm 00009 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\S2464.IS S2464
10
1 of Indian Affairs on January 29, 2021, pursuant to
2 section 104 of the Federally Recognized Indian
3 Tribe List Act of 1994 (25 U.S.C. 5131).
4 (18) TRIBAL LAND.—The term ‘‘Tribal land’’
5 means—
6 (A) any land located within the boundaries
7 of an Indian reservation, pueblo, or rancheria;
8 and
9 (B) any land not located within the bound-
10 aries of an Indian reservation, pueblo, or
11 rancheria, the title to which is held—
12 (i) in trust by the United States for
13 the benefit of an Indian Tribe or an indi-
14 vidual Indian;
15 (ii) by an Indian Tribe or an indi-
16 vidual Indian, subject to restriction against
17 alienation under Federal law; or
18 (iii) by a dependent Indian commu-
19 nity.
20 SEC. 3. DISTRESS ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA AND COOPERA-
21 TION AGREEMENTS.
22 (a) DISTRESS ELIGIBILITY.—
23 (1) CRITERIA.—To be eligible for a RECOM-
24 PETE grant, a local labor market, local community,
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS
25 partial local labor market, or Tribal government
•S 2464 IS
VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:06 Jul 24, 2021 Jkt 019200 PO 00000 Frm 00010 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\S2464.IS S2464
11
1 shall meet the following criteria, as applicable, as de-
2 termined by the Secretary:
3 (A) LOCAL LABOR MARKETS.—A local
4 labor market shall have a prime-age employ-
5 ment gap equal to not less than 2.5 percent.
6 (B) LOCAL COMMUNITIES.—A local com-
7 munity shall—
8 (i) meet the applicable requirements
9 described in section 2(6); and
10 (ii) have—
11 (I) a median household income
12 equal to not more than $75,000; and
13 (II)(aa) a prime-age employment
14 gap of not less than 5 percent; or
15 (bb) as determined by the Sec-
16 retary, a special need arising from—
17 (AA) a recent decrease in
18 the applicable prime-age employ-
19 ment rate; or
20 (BB) another severe eco-
21 nomic disruption that is likely to
22 reduce the applicable prime-age
23 employment rate.
24 (C) PARTIAL LOCAL LABOR MARKETS.—A
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS
25 partial local labor market shall—
•S 2464 IS
VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:06 Jul 24, 2021 Jkt 019200 PO 00000 Frm 00011 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\S2464.IS S2464
12
1 (i) have a prime-age employment gap
2 equal to not less than 2.5 percent; and
3 (ii) receive a waiver under subsection
4 (b)(3)(A).
5 (D) TRIBAL GOVERNMENTS.—
6 (i) IN GENERAL.—A Tribal govern-
7 ment shall have a prime-age employment
8 gap of not less than 2.5 percent, as cal-
9 culated under clause (ii).
10 (ii) CALCULATION.—For purposes of
11 clause (i), the prime-age employment gap
12 of a Tribal government shall be calculated,
13 with respect to the most recent 5-year pe-
14 riod for which data are available, for all in-
15 dividuals residing on the Tribal land of the
16 Tribal government.
17 (2) LIMITATIONS.—
18 (A) APPLICABLE AREAS.—A local labor
19 market, local community, partial local labor
20 market, or Tribal government shall not be eligi-
21 ble to receive more than 1 RECOMPETE
22 grant.
23 (B) APPLICANTS.—For purposes of the
24 RECOMPETE grant program, an applicant
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS
25 may not be considered to be located in, or sub-
•S 2464 IS
VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:06 Jul 24, 2021 Jkt 019200 PO 00000 Frm 00012 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\S2464.IS S2464
13
1 mit an application under section 4(a)(2) on be-
2 half of, more than 1 eligible local labor market,
3 local community, partial local labor market, or
4 Tribal government.
5 (b) COOPERATION AGREEMENTS.—
6 (1) REQUIREMENT.—
7 (A) IN GENERAL.—Subject to paragraph
8 (3), if an applicable area contains 2 or more ap-
9 plicants described in subparagraph (A), (B), or
10 (C) of section 2(2), each such applicant shall,
11 as a condition of receiving a RECOMPETE
12 grant for the applicable area—
13 (i) enter into a legally binding co-
14 operation agreement for the applicable
15 area in accordance with subparagraph (C);
16 and
17 (ii) designate 1 applicant as the lead
18 entity to act in a representative capacity
19 for purposes of assuming overall responsi-
20 bility for carrying out the programs and
21 activities, and achieving compliance with
22 the applicable requirements, under the RE-
23 COMPETE grant.
24 (B) PARTICIPATION APPLI-
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS
BY OTHER
25 CANTS.—An applicant described in subpara-
•S 2464 IS
VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:06 Jul 24, 2021 Jkt 019200 PO 00000 Frm 00013 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\S2464.IS S2464
14
1 graph (E), (F), or (G) of section 2(2) that is
2 located in an applicable area for which a co-
3 operation agreement is entered into under sub-
4 paragraph (A) may elect to join the cooperation
5 agreement, at the discretion of the applicant.
6 (C) TERMS.—A cooperation agreement
7 under this subsection shall include—
8 (i) a written statement that—
9 (I) is executed by each applicant
10 that is a party to the cooperation
11 agreement; and
12 (II) establishes the consent of the
13 applicant to be bound by the terms
14 of—
15 (aa) the cooperation agree-
16 ment; and
17 (bb) the RECOMPETE plan
18 for the applicable area; and
19 (ii) a process for redress of any ac-
20 tion, or failure to act, by the lead entity
21 that is detrimental to an applicant.
22 (D) LIMITATION.—An applicable area may
23 be the subject of only 1 cooperation agreement.
24 (2) ELECTION BY LOCAL COMMUNITIES AND
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS
25 TRIBAL GOVERNMENTS.—
•S 2464 IS
VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:06 Jul 24, 2021 Jkt 019200 PO 00000 Frm 00014 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\S2464.IS S2464
15
1 (A) LOCAL COMMUNITIES.—
2 (i) IN GENERAL.—A local community
3 may enter into a cooperation agreement
4 described in paragraph (1) with any other
5 local communities located within the same
6 local labor market, subject to the condition
7 that 1 or more of those local communities
8 shall be an eligible local community.
9 (ii) PARTIES.—A cooperation agree-
10 ment under clause (i) may be executed be-
11 tween or among—
12 (I) an eligible local community;
13 and
14 (II) 1 or more—
15 (aa) other eligible local com-
16 munities, or applicants within an
17 eligible local community, located
18 within the same local labor mar-
19 ket; or
20 (bb) applicants that are not
21 located within an eligible local
22 community, but are located with-
23 in the same local labor market as
24 an eligible local community.
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS
•S 2464 IS
VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:06 Jul 24, 2021 Jkt 019200 PO 00000 Frm 00015 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\S2464.IS S2464
16
1 (iii) ADDITIONAL AMOUNTS.—On exe-
2 cution of a cooperation agreement under
3 this subparagraph involving 1 or more ap-
4 plicants described in clause (ii)(II)(bb), the
5 Secretary may award additional amounts
6 in accordance with subsection (c)(6) of sec-
7 tion 6, subject to the applicable cost-shar-
8 ing requirements of subsection (e)(2) of
9 that section.
10 (B) TRIBAL GOVERNMENTS.—
11 (i) IN GENERAL.—Regardless of
12 whether the Tribal government is eligible,
13 subject to clause (ii), a Tribal government
14 may elect to enter into a cooperation
15 agreement described in paragraph (1) with
16 1 or more applicants from an eligible local
17 labor market, local community, or partial
18 local labor market that is adjacent to the
19 Tribal land of the Tribal government.
20 (ii) DEADLINE.—An election by a
21 Tribal government under clause (i) shall be
22 made by not later than 45 days after the
23 first date of the application period estab-
24 lished for the Tribal government under
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS
25 section 4(a)(2)(B).
•S 2464 IS
VerDate Sep 11 2014 21:17 Jul 29, 2021 Jkt 019200 PO 00000 Frm 00016 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\S2464.IS S2464
17
1 (iii) TREATMENT.—If a Tribal gov-
2 ernment elects to enter into a cooperation
3 agreement under clause (i)—
4 (I) the Tribal land of the Tribal
5 government shall be—
6 (aa) considered to be in-
7 cluded in the applicable area of
8 the eligible local labor market,
9 local community, or partial local
10 labor market that is the subject
11 of the cooperation agreement;
12 and
13 (bb) subject to the RECOM-
14 PETE plan for the applicable
15 area described in item (aa); and
16 (II) the amount of the RECOM-
17 PETE grant to which the Tribal gov-
18 ernment is otherwise eligible to re-
19 ceive, if applicable—
20 (aa) shall not be decreased;
21 and
22 (bb) shall be added to the
23 amount provided to the applica-
24 ble lead entity for use in accord-
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS
•S 2464 IS
VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:06 Jul 24, 2021 Jkt 019200 PO 00000 Frm 00017 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\S2464.IS S2464
18
1 ance with the RECOMPETE
2 plan.
3 (iv) ENCOURAGEMENT TO COLLABO-
4 RATE.—To the maximum extent prac-
5 ticable, the Secretary shall encourage Trib-
6 al governments to enter into cooperation
7 agreements described in clause (i).
8 (v) EFFECT OF SUBPARAGRAPH.—
9 Nothing in this subparagraph—
10 (I) requires a Tribal government
11 to enter into a cooperation agreement
12 in order to receive a RECOMPETE
13 grant;
14 (II) penalizes a Tribal govern-
15 ment that does not elect to participate
16 in a cooperation agreement; or
17 (III) otherwise affects the
18 amount of a RECOMPETE grant to
19 be provided to any Tribal government.
20 (3) WAIVERS.—
21 (A) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary may
22 waive the requirement under paragraph (1)
23 with respect to an applicant acting on behalf of
24 a partial local labor market that—
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS
•S 2464 IS
VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:06 Jul 24, 2021 Jkt 019200 PO 00000 Frm 00018 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\S2464.IS S2464
19
1 (i) meets the criterion described in
2 subsection (a)(1)(C)(i);
3 (ii) is located within an eligible local
4 labor market with respect to which a co-
5 operation agreement is unable to be exe-
6 cuted under paragraph (1), despite reason-
7 able efforts; and
8 (iii) submits to the Secretary a re-
9 quest for a waiver under this paragraph
10 demonstrating the ability to carry out the
11 programs and activities, and achieve com-
12 pliance with the applicable requirements,
13 under sections 4 and 5 in the applicable
14 area.
15 (B) EFFECT.—On receipt of a waiver
16 under subparagraph (A), a partial local labor
17 market—
18 (i) shall be eligible to receive a RE-
19 COMPETE grant; and
20 (ii) may elect to carry out the pro-
21 grams and activities, and achieve compli-
22 ance with the applicable requirements, in
23 the applicable area under the RECOM-
24 PETE grant—
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS
25 (I) independently; or
•S 2464 IS
VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:06 Jul 24, 2021 Jkt 019200 PO 00000 Frm 00019 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\S2464.IS S2464
20
1 (II) by designating from among
2 applicants located within the applica-
3 ble area a lead entity pursuant to a
4 cooperation agreement described in
5 paragraph (1), which shall submit to
6 the Secretary a written notice in ac-
7 cordance with paragraph (4).
8 (4) SUBMISSION TO SECRETARY.—On execution
9 of a cooperation agreement under paragraph (1),
10 (2), or (3)(B)(ii)(II), the lead entity shall submit to
11 the Secretary a written notice that—
12 (A) describes—
13 (i) the cooperation agreement;
14 (ii) the date of execution of the co-
15 operation agreement;
16 (iii) the authorization of the lead enti-
17 ty under the cooperation agreement; and
18 (iv) the formation of a consortium de-
19 scribed in section 2(2)(H) under the co-
20 operation agreement, if applicable; and
21 (B) includes—
22 (i) a copy of each written statement
23 under paragraph (1)(C)(i) relating to the
24 cooperation agreement; and
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS
•S 2464 IS
VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:06 Jul 24, 2021 Jkt 019200 PO 00000 Frm 00020 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\S2464.IS S2464
21
1 (ii) any necessary certifications or
2 other documentation relating to the co-
3 operation agreement.
4 SEC. 4. RECOMPETE GRANT PROGRAM.
5 (a) ESTABLISHMENT.—
6 (1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall establish
7 a formula grant program under which the Secretary
8 shall provide to eligible applicants and lead entities
9 block grants, to be known as ‘‘RECOMPETE
10 grants’’, to carry out programs and activities in the
11 applicable areas served by the applicants and lead
12 entities that—
13 (A) create quality jobs;
14 (B) provide resources to help local resi-
15 dents—
16 (i) access opportunities; and
17 (ii) attain and retain employment;
18 (C) increase local per capita income and
19 prime-age employment rates; and
20 (D) support long-term, sustained economic
21 growth and opportunity in persistently dis-
22 tressed areas.
23 (2) APPLICATIONS.—
24 (A) IN GENERAL.—To be considered for
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS
25 the provision of a RECOMPETE grant, an eli-
•S 2464 IS
VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:06 Jul 24, 2021 Jkt 019200 PO 00000 Frm 00021 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\S2464.IS S2464
22
1 gible applicant or lead entity shall submit to the
2 Secretary an application—
3 (i) at such time, in such manner, and
4 containing such information as the Sec-
5 retary determines to be appropriate; and
6 (ii) that includes a RECOMPETE
7 plan for the applicable area served by the
8 applicant or lead entity, in accordance with
9 subsection (b).
10 (B) APPLICATION WINDOWS.—In carrying
11 out the RECOMPETE grant program, the Sec-
12 retary shall establish the periods during which
13 applications may be submitted under subpara-
14 graph (A), subject to the conditions that—
15 (i) the initial application period estab-
16 lished under this subparagraph shall be not
17 less than 3 years; and
18 (ii) for the second application period
19 under this subparagraph and each period
20 thereafter, the Secretary may, as the Sec-
21 retary determines to be appropriate—
22 (I) extend the period;
23 (II) accept late applications;
24 (III) initiate a new application
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS
25 cycle; and
•S 2464 IS
VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:06 Jul 24, 2021 Jkt 019200 PO 00000 Frm 00022 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\S2464.IS S2464
23
1 (IV) establish additional rules
2 and regulations under this subsection.
3 (C) LIMITATIONS.—
4 (i) IN GENERAL.—Subject to clause
5 (ii), the Secretary may establish a limita-
6 tion on—
7 (I) the number of applications to
8 be accepted by the Secretary during
9 each fiscal year from each type of ap-
10 plicant; and
11 (II) the total amount of each
12 RECOMPETE grant payment pro-
13 vided for each fiscal year.
14 (ii) REQUIREMENTS.—In establishing
15 any limitation under clause (i), the Sec-
16 retary shall ensure that—
17 (I) each applicant and lead entity
18 that submits to the Secretary an ap-
19 plication satisfactory to the Secretary
20 for an application period established
21 under subparagraph (B) shall be con-
22 sidered for receipt of a RECOMPETE
23 grant during that application period;
24 and
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS
25 (II) the Secretary is able—
•S 2464 IS
VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:06 Jul 24, 2021 Jkt 019200 PO 00000 Frm 00023 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\S2464.IS S2464
24
1 (aa) to review applications
2 and provide technical assistance
3 and expertise to applicants in the
4 development and implementation
5 of RECOMPETE plans; and
6 (bb) to conduct benchmark
7 evaluations and meet applicable
8 reporting requirements in accord-
9 ance with section 5.
10 (D) PRIORITY.—In selecting recipients of
11 RECOMPETE grants, the Secretary shall give
12 priority consideration to severely distressed, eli-
13 gible—
14 (i) local labor markets; and
15 (ii) Tribal governments.
16 (E) APPROVAL.—The Secretary shall ap-
17 prove or disapprove each application submitted
18 under this paragraph (including the RECOM-
19 PETE plan included in the application) as soon
20 as practicable after the date of receipt of the
21 application.
22 (3) TERM.—A RECOMPETE grant shall—
23 (A) have a term of 10 fiscal years; and
24 (B) be disbursed over that term in accord-
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS
25 ance with section 6(d).
•S 2464 IS
VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:06 Jul 24, 2021 Jkt 019200 PO 00000 Frm 00024 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\S2464.IS S2464
25
1 (b) RECOMPETE PLANS.—
2 (1) IN GENERAL.—As a condition of receipt of
3 a RECOMPETE grant, the application of an appli-
4 cant or lead entity under subsection (a)(2) shall in-
5 clude a RECOMPETE plan for the applicable area
6 served by the applicant or lead entity in accordance
7 with this subsection.
8 (2) REQUIREMENTS.—A RECOMPETE plan
9 shall include the following information with respect
10 to the applicable area:
11 (A) An identification of—
12 (i) each economic development chal-
13 lenge proposed to be addressed using a
14 RECOMPETE grant; and
15 (ii) any past, present, or projected fu-
16 ture economic development investments in
17 the applicable area, including, with respect
18 to the investment—
19 (I) each public and private par-
20 ticipant; and
21 (II) each source of funding.
22 (B) A comprehensive strategy, for the 10-
23 year period beginning on the proposed date of
24 receipt of a RECOMPETE grant, to address
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS
25 the economic challenges identified under sub-
•S 2464 IS
VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:06 Jul 24, 2021 Jkt 019200 PO 00000 Frm 00025 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\S2464.IS S2464
26
1 paragraph (A)(i), in accordance with subsection
2 (d), in a manner that—
3 (i) promotes long-term, sustained eco-
4 nomic growth, opportunity, job creation,
5 employment, and increased per capita in-
6 come;
7 (ii) reduces the prime-age employment
8 gap of the applicable area;
9 (iii) creates jobs and connects local
10 workers to employment and other economic
11 opportunities;
12 (iv) maximizes the effective develop-
13 ment and use of the local workforce; and
14 (v) provides accessible resources to
15 support job attainment and retention.
16 (C) The total projected cost to carry out
17 the RECOMPETE plan.
18 (D) The total amount of the RECOM-
19 PETE grant requested, and the justification for
20 that amount.
21 (E) The roles and responsibilities of each
22 recipient and subrecipient carrying out an activ-
23 ity under the RECOMPETE plan.
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS
•S 2464 IS
VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:06 Jul 24, 2021 Jkt 019200 PO 00000 Frm 00026 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\S2464.IS S2464
27
1 (F) The proposed allocation by the recipi-
2 ent to subrecipients of any RECOMPETE
3 grant amounts.
4 (G) An identification of certain benchmark
5 criteria for use in benchmark evaluations under
6 section 5(a), including reducing the prime-age
7 employment gap of the applicable area by cer-
8 tain percentages at periodic intervals, with the
9 goals of—
10 (i) reducing the prime-age employ-
11 ment gap by not less than 50 percent on
12 completion of the term of the RECOM-
13 PETE grant provided to the recipient; and
14 (ii) achieving compliance with such
15 other criteria as the Secretary may estab-
16 lish.
17 (3) OPTIONAL INCLUSIONS.—A RECOMPETE
18 plan may include strategies—
19 (A) to address inequality in the applicable
20 area, such as inequality with respect to income,
21 opportunity, or employment on the basis of
22 race, gender, religion, or sexual orientation;
23 (B) to support business development and
24 entrepreneurship; and
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS
•S 2464 IS
VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:06 Jul 24, 2021 Jkt 019200 PO 00000 Frm 00027 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\S2464.IS S2464
28
1 (C) to support innovation and businesses,
2 job creation, and workforce development in in-
3 dustries expected to continue or increase in
4 force in the applicable area.
5 (4) CONSENT OF PARTIES TO COOPERATION
6 AGREEMENT.—If an applicable area is subject to a
7 cooperation agreement under section 3(b), the RE-
8 COMPETE plan for the applicable area shall be—
9 (A) developed in accordance with that co-
10 operation agreement; and
11 (B) consented to by each applicant that is
12 a party to the cooperation agreement.
13 (5) INTEGRATION WITH COMPREHENSIVE ECO-
14 NOMIC DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY.—If an applicable
15 area is subject to a comprehensive economic develop-
16 ment strategy approved by the Secretary under sec-
17 tion 302 of the Public Works and Economic Devel-
18 opment Act of 1965 (42 U.S.C. 3162), the RECOM-
19 PETE plan for the applicable area—
20 (A) shall be integrated with that strategy,
21 to the maximum extent practicable; and
22 (B) may be developed and included as a
23 supplemental portion of that strategy, rather
24 than as an independent plan.
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS
•S 2464 IS
VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:06 Jul 24, 2021 Jkt 019200 PO 00000 Frm 00028 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\S2464.IS S2464
29
1 (6) APPROVAL BY SECRETARY.—The Secretary
2 shall approve a RECOMPETE plan that the Sec-
3 retary determines meets the applicable requirements
4 of this subsection.
5 (c) PLANNING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE.—
6 (1) PLANNING ASSISTANCE.—
7 (A) IN GENERAL.—For purposes of assist-
8 ing a recipient in developing a RECOMPETE
9 plan, the Secretary may make an advance pay-
10 ment of a RECOMPETE grant in accordance
11 with subparagraph (B), if the Secretary deter-
12 mines that—
13 (i) the recipient requires such an ad-
14 vance; and
15 (ii) the advance will be used—
16 (I) effectively; and
17 (II) for planning purposes.
18 (B) MAXIMUM AMOUNT.—The amount of
19 an advance payment under subparagraph (A)
20 shall be equal to not more than the lesser of—
21 (i) an amount equal to 5 percent of
22 the maximum RECOMPETE grant
23 amount to be provided to the applicable re-
24 cipient; and
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS
25 (ii) $300,000.
•S 2464 IS
VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:06 Jul 24, 2021 Jkt 019200 PO 00000 Frm 00029 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\S2464.IS S2464
30
1 (C) NO COST SHARE.—An advance pay-
2 ment made under this paragraph shall not be
3 subject to any cost-sharing requirement.
4 (2) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE.—The Secretary
5 shall provide technical assistance, if necessary, in
6 each applicable area relating to—
7 (A) the development of a RECOMPETE
8 plan that meets the applicable requirements of
9 this subsection with respect to the applicable
10 area; and
11 (B) implementation of the programs and
12 activities included in the RECOMPETE plan
13 for the applicable area.
14 (d) USE OF FUNDS.—
15 (1) IN GENERAL.—Subject to paragraphs (2)
16 and (3), a recipient or subrecipient may use a RE-
17 COMPETE grant to carry out programs and activi-
18 ties in the applicable area, in accordance with the
19 RECOMPETE plan, including—
20 (A) the provision of business advice and
21 assistance to small and medium-sized local busi-
22 nesses and entrepreneurs, including—
23 (i) manufacturing extension services;
24 (ii) small business development cen-
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS
25 ters;
•S 2464 IS
VerDate Sep 11 2014 21:17 Jul 29, 2021 Jkt 019200 PO 00000 Frm 00030 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\S2464.IS S2464
31
1 (iii) centers to help businesses bid for
2 Federal procurement contracts;
3 (iv) entrepreneurial assistance pro-
4 grams that link entrepreneurs with avail-
5 able public and private resources;
6 (v) legal advice and resources; and
7 (vi) assistance in accessing capital;
8 (B) land and site development programs,
9 such as brownfield redevelopment, research and
10 technology parks, business incubators, business
11 corridor development, and Main Street redevel-
12 opment programs;
13 (C) infrastructure and housing activities
14 that are directly related to supporting job cre-
15 ation and employment for residents, such as—
16 (i) improvements to transit, roads,
17 and broadband access;
18 (ii) affordable housing development;
19 (iii) land-use and zoning reforms; and
20 (iv) transit-oriented development ac-
21 tivities;
22 (D) job training oriented to local employer
23 needs, such as customized job training pro-
24 grams carried out by local community colleges
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS
25 in partnership with local businesses;
•S 2464 IS
VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:06 Jul 24, 2021 Jkt 019200 PO 00000 Frm 00031 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\S2464.IS S2464
32
1 (E) workforce outreach programs, such
2 as—
3 (i) programs located in, and targeted
4 to, lower-income and underemployed neigh-
5 borhoods; and
6 (ii) embedding job placement and
7 training services in neighborhood institu-
8 tions such as churches, housing projects,
9 and community advocacy programs;
10 (F) job retention programs and activities,
11 such as the provision of—
12 (i) job coaches, including at locations
13 of employment;
14 (ii) child care services, including sub-
15 sidizing the construction, operation, main-
16 tenance, and labor costs of child care cen-
17 ters; and
18 (iii) transportation support, such as
19 support for vehicle repairs to assist in the
20 transit of workers to jobs; and
21 (G) such other programs and activities as
22 the Secretary determines to be appropriate, in-
23 cluding any proposed programs or activities
24 that the recipient demonstrates clearly and sub-
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS
25 stantially, to the satisfaction of the Secretary,
•S 2464 IS
VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:06 Jul 24, 2021 Jkt 019200 PO 00000 Frm 00032 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\S2464.IS S2464
33
1 will directly advance the goals of the RECOM-
2 PETE grant program.
3 (2) METHOD.—In carrying out programs and
4 activities described in paragraph (1), a recipient or
5 subrecipient may—
6 (A) use amounts provided under a RE-
7 COMPETE grant to carry out such a program
8 or activity directly; or
9 (B) enter into a contract or other agree-
10 ment with a subcontractor or vendor (including
11 nongovernmental, nonprofit organizations and
12 for-profit entities) to carry out such a program
13 or activity.
14 (3) OUTSIDE PROGRAMS AND ACTIVITIES.—A
15 recipient acting on behalf of an eligible local commu-
16 nity that enters into a cooperation agreement under
17 section 3(b)(2)(A)(ii)(II) with a local community
18 that is not eligible, but is located within the same
19 local labor market, may use amounts provided under
20 a RECOMPETE grant to carry out a program or
21 activity described in paragraph (1) in the ineligible
22 local community, if the program or activity would
23 provide a benefit to residents of the eligible local
24 community.
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS
25 (e) REGIONAL COMMISSIONS.—
•S 2464 IS
VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:06 Jul 24, 2021 Jkt 019200 PO 00000 Frm 00033 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\S2464.IS S2464
34
1 (1) DEFINITION OF REGIONAL COMMISSION.—
2 In this subsection, the term ‘‘Regional Commission’’
3 means—
4 (A) any of the Regional Commissions (as
5 defined in section 3 of the Public Works and
6 Economic Development Act of 1965 (42 U.S.C.
7 3122));
8 (B) the Northern Border Regional Com-
9 mission;
10 (C) the Southeast Crescent Regional Com-
11 mission;
12 (D) the Southwest Border Regional Com-
13 mission; and
14 (E) any other regional commission estab-
15 lished under Federal law, subject to the ap-
16 proval of the Secretary.
17 (2) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND SUPPORT.—If
18 an applicant (or any portion of the service area of
19 an applicant) is located in a region covered by a Re-
20 gional Commission, the Regional Commission is en-
21 couraged to provide technical assistance and other
22 support relating to applying for a RECOMPETE
23 grant and developing and carrying out a RECOM-
24 PETE plan to—
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS
25 (A) the applicant;
•S 2464 IS
VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:06 Jul 24, 2021 Jkt 019200 PO 00000 Frm 00034 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\S2464.IS S2464
35
1 (B) the lead entity, if applicable; and
2 (C) any other relevant entities.
3 (3) ACTION BY SECRETARY.—The Secretary
4 shall—
5 (A) encourage each recipient to coordinate
6 the implementation of a RECOMPETE plan
7 with the activities of each Regional Commission
8 serving the region in which the applicable area
9 is located; and
10 (B) ensure that a copy of the RECOM-
11 PETE plan for each applicable area is provided
12 to each affected Regional Commission.
13 SEC. 5. ADMINISTRATION, REPORTING, AND OVERSIGHT.
14 (a) BENCHMARK EVALUATIONS.—
15 (1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall establish
16 a process under which the Secretary shall conduct
17 periodic benchmark evaluations of each recipient to
18 ensure that the recipient successfully carries out the
19 programs and activities described in the RECOM-
20 PETE plan of the recipient.
21 (2) TIMING.—The Secretary shall conduct a
22 benchmark evaluation of a recipient under this sub-
23 section—
24 (A) for a recipient of a RECOMPETE
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS
25 grant provided during the initial application pe-
•S 2464 IS
VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:06 Jul 24, 2021 Jkt 019200 PO 00000 Frm 00035 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\S2464.IS S2464
36
1 riod under section 4(a)(2)(B)(i), by not later
2 than 3 years after the date of the initial award
3 of the RECOMPETE grant; and
4 (B) not less frequently than once every 2
5 years thereafter during the term of the RE-
6 COMPETE grant provided to the recipient.
7 (3) CRITERIA.—In conducting a benchmark
8 evaluation of a recipient under this subsection, the
9 Secretary shall determine whether the recipient
10 has—
11 (A) adhered to the timelines and require-
12 ments of the programs and activities identified
13 in the RECOMPETE plan of the recipient;
14 (B) made sufficient progress toward
15 achieving the benchmarks and objectives de-
16 scribed in that RECOMPETE plan;
17 (C) increased the overall employment rate,
18 the prime-age employment rate, median house-
19 hold income, and per capita income in the ap-
20 plicable area; and
21 (D) achieved compliance with such other
22 criteria as the Secretary determines to be rel-
23 evant.
24 (b) MODIFICATION OF PLANS.—
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS
•S 2464 IS
VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:06 Jul 24, 2021 Jkt 019200 PO 00000 Frm 00036 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\S2464.IS S2464
37
1 (1) REQUIREMENT FOR RECIPIENTS.—A recipi-
2 ent shall modify the RECOMPETE plan of the re-
3 cipient, or any program or activity conducted under
4 that RECOMPETE plan, if the Secretary—
5 (A) determines that—
6 (i) such a program or activity is inef-
7 fective or underperforming; or
8 (ii) with respect to the RECOMPETE
9 plan, program, or activity—
10 (I) an applicable performance
11 metric or criterion has not been met;
12 or
13 (II) funds have been misused;
14 and
15 (B) directs the recipient to modify the RE-
16 COMPETE plan, program, or activity.
17 (2) AUTHORITY OF SECRETARY.—
18 (A) ADJUSTMENTS AND INCREASES IN
19 FUNDING.—The Secretary may increase the
20 amount of the RECOMPETE grant provided to
21 the recipient as the Secretary determines to be
22 appropriate, taking into consideration any
23 modifications made to the RECOMPETE plan
24 under paragraph (1), in an amount equal to not
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS
25 more than the maximum amount available on
•S 2464 IS
VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:06 Jul 24, 2021 Jkt 019200 PO 00000 Frm 00037 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\S2464.IS S2464
38
1 the date of approval of the RECOMPETE
2 grant application for the applicable area and
3 subject to the availability of funds, if the Sec-
4 retary determines that—
5 (i) events or other factors beyond the
6 control of the recipient significantly—
7 (I) altered applicable project cir-
8 cumstances; or
9 (II) prevented the recipient from
10 meeting the objectives and bench-
11 marks of the RECOMPETE plan; or
12 (ii) a labor market, economic, busi-
13 ness, or technology shift, or any other
14 major factor, warrants such a modification
15 and increase in funding.
16 (B) WITHHOLDING AND TERMINATING
17 FUNDING.—The Secretary may temporarily
18 withhold or terminate any amount scheduled to
19 be provided under a RECOMPETE grant if the
20 Secretary determines that—
21 (i) after a reasonable effort, an agree-
22 ment cannot be reached with respect to a
23 modification to a RECOMPETE plan rec-
24 ommended or required by the Secretary
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS
25 under this subsection; or
•S 2464 IS
VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:06 Jul 24, 2021 Jkt 019200 PO 00000 Frm 00038 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\S2464.IS S2464
39
1 (ii)(I) a gross, intentional misuse of
2 RECOMPETE grant funds (including any
3 activity subject to a penalty under section
4 605 of the Public Works and Economic
5 Development Act of 1965 (42 U.S.C.
6 3215)) has occurred; and
7 (II) the individual or entity respon-
8 sible for the misuse is not removed from all
9 programs and activities carried out under
10 the RECOMPETE plan.
11 (c) RECIPIENT REPORTING REQUIREMENTS.—Each
12 recipient shall be subject to—
13 (1) the grant reporting requirements under part
14 200 of title 2, Code of Federal Regulations (or suc-
15 cessor regulations); and
16 (2) such additional, clear, annual reporting re-
17 quirements as the Secretary may establish to gather
18 any information necessary to conduct the benchmark
19 and final evaluations under this section.
20 (d) FINAL EVALUATION.—
21 (1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year after
22 the final disbursement of a RECOMPETE grant is
23 provided to each recipient, the Secretary, in coopera-
24 tion with the recipient and each applicable sub-
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS
25 recipient, shall conduct a final evaluation of the suc-
•S 2464 IS
VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:06 Jul 24, 2021 Jkt 019200 PO 00000 Frm 00039 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\S2464.IS S2464
40
1 cess of the programs and activities carried out under
2 the RECOMPETE plan of the recipient.
3 (2) CRITERIA.—The Secretary shall establish
4 criteria for use in conducting final evaluations under
5 this subsection—
6 (A) in addition to the criteria established
7 under subsection (a)(3); and
8 (B) taking into consideration the goal of
9 reducing the prime-age employment gap of each
10 applicable area by 50 percent.
11 (3) REQUIREMENTS FOR RECIPIENTS.—Each
12 recipient and subrecipient shall—
13 (A) cooperate with the Secretary in con-
14 ducting a final evaluation under this subsection;
15 and
16 (B) provide to the Secretary any informa-
17 tion necessary for that evaluation.
18 (e) REPORT TO CONGRESS.—The Secretary shall
19 submit to Congress comprehensive and detailed annual re-
20 ports describing the implementation of this Act, including,
21 with respect to the period covered by the report—
22 (1)(A) a summary assessment of the overall
23 progress of the RECOMPETE grant program; and
24 (B) as data become available, an analysis of the
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS
25 effectiveness of that program;
•S 2464 IS
VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:06 Jul 24, 2021 Jkt 019200 PO 00000 Frm 00040 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\S2464.IS S2464
41
1 (2) labor market and economic metrics to de-
2 scribe the impact of the RECOMPETE grant pro-
3 gram, including any progress made toward—
4 (A) decreasing prime-age employment
5 gaps; or
6 (B) increasing local per capita income;
7 (3) detailed demographic analyses of—
8 (A) the populations served by recipients;
9 and
10 (B) relevant labor market statistics;
11 (4) a summary of the benchmark evaluations
12 conducted under subsection (a), as available;
13 (5) an identification of, and reasons for reject-
14 ing or deferring, as applicable, each application sub-
15 mitted under section 4(a)(2), including the applica-
16 ble annual RECOMPETE grant amount limitation
17 established by the Secretary under subparagraph
18 (C)(i)(II) of that section, if any; and
19 (6) such other details as the Secretary deter-
20 mines to be appropriate.
21 (f) APPLICABILITY OF PWEDA.—
22 (1) IN GENERAL.—The following sections of the
23 Public Works and Economic Development Act of
24 1965 shall apply to this Act (including the RECOM-
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS
25 PETE grant program):
•S 2464 IS
VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:06 Jul 24, 2021 Jkt 019200 PO 00000 Frm 00041 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\S2464.IS S2464
42
1 (A) Section 211 (42 U.S.C. 3151).
2 (B) Section 503 (42 U.S.C. 3193).
3 (C) Section 504 (42 U.S.C. 3194).
4 (D) Section 602 (42 U.S.C. 3212).
5 (E) Section 604 (42 U.S.C. 3214).
6 (F) Section 605 (42 U.S.C. 3215).
7 (G) Section 608 (42 U.S.C. 3218).
8 (H) Section 610 (42 U.S.C. 3220).
9 (2) AUTHORITIES AND DUTIES OF SEC-
10 RETARY.—The Secretary shall have the authorities
11 and duties provided by the sections of the Public
12 Works and Economic Development Act of 1965 (42
13 U.S.C. 3121 et seq.) referred to in paragraph (1) in
14 administering and enforcing this Act (including the
15 RECOMPETE grant program).
16 SEC. 6. FUNDING.
17 (a) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There is
18 authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry
19 out this Act $175,000,000,000 for fiscal year 2022, to re-
20 main available until expended.
21 (b) ALLOCATION.—
22 (1) IN GENERAL.—Subject to paragraph (2), of
23 the amounts made available under subsection (a),
24 the Secretary shall allocate—
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS
•S 2464 IS
VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:06 Jul 24, 2021 Jkt 019200 PO 00000 Frm 00042 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\S2464.IS S2464
43
1 (A) not less than 70 percent to recipients
2 acting on behalf of local labor markets or par-
3 tial local labor markets;
4 (B) not more than 20 percent to recipients
5 acting on behalf of local communities; and
6 (C) not less than 10 percent to eligible
7 Tribal governments.
8 (2) TREATMENT OF CERTAIN AMOUNTS.—The
9 amounts allocated pursuant to paragraphs (5) and
10 (6)(B) of subsection (c) shall not be taken into con-
11 sideration for purposes of calculations under para-
12 graph (1).
13 (3) ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS AND PER-
14 SONNEL.—
15 (A) IN GENERAL.—Of any amounts made
16 available to carry out this Act, the Secretary
17 shall transfer not less than 1 percent to the
18 Salary and Expenses Account of the Secretary
19 for the costs of administration and oversight of
20 this Act.
21 (B) PERSONNEL.—The Secretary may—
22 (i) appoint and fix the compensation
23 of such temporary personnel as may be
24 necessary to carry out this Act; and
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS
•S 2464 IS
VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:06 Jul 24, 2021 Jkt 019200 PO 00000 Frm 00043 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\S2464.IS S2464
44
1 (ii) effective beginning on the date on
2 which an individual appointed under clause
3 (i) has served continuously in that appoint-
4 ment for 2 years, appoint the individual to
5 a position in the Economic Development
6 Administration in the same manner in
7 which competitive service employees with
8 competitive status are considered for trans-
9 fer, reassignment, or promotion to such a
10 position, at which time the individual shall
11 become a career-conditional employee, un-
12 less the individual has completed the serv-
13 ice requirements for career tenure.
14 (c) GRANT FORMULAS.—
15 (1) IN GENERAL.—Subject to subsection (e),
16 based on the information relating to projected costs
17 contained in applicable RECOMPETE plans under
18 subparagraph (C) of section 4(b)(2), and the jus-
19 tifications described in subparagraph (D) of that
20 section, the amount of a RECOMPETE grant pro-
21 vided to a recipient shall be determined in accord-
22 ance with this subsection.
23 (2) LOCAL LABOR MARKETS.—An eligible local
24 labor market may receive not more than the amount
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS
25 equal to the product obtained by multiplying—
•S 2464 IS
VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:06 Jul 24, 2021 Jkt 019200 PO 00000 Frm 00044 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\S2464.IS S2464
45
1 (A) the prime-age employment gap of the
2 local labor market;
3 (B) the prime-age population of the local
4 labor market; and
5 (C) $70,585.
6 (3) LOCAL COMMUNITIES.—Subject to para-
7 graph (6), an eligible local community may receive
8 not more than the amount equal to the product ob-
9 tained by multiplying—
10 (A) the prime-age employment gap of the
11 local community;
12 (B) the prime-age population of the local
13 community; and
14 (C) $53,600.
15 (4) PARTIAL LOCAL LABOR MARKETS.—An eli-
16 gible partial local labor market may receive not more
17 than the amount equal to the product obtained by
18 multiplying—
19 (A) the population of the partial local labor
20 market;
21 (B) the lesser of—
22 (i) the prime-age employment gap of
23 the local labor market within which the
24 partial local labor market is located; and
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS
•S 2464 IS
VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:06 Jul 24, 2021 Jkt 019200 PO 00000 Frm 00045 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\S2464.IS S2464
46
1 (ii) the prime-age employment gap of
2 the partial local labor market; and
3 (C) $70,585.
4 (5) TRIBAL GOVERNMENTS.—
5 (A) IN GENERAL.—An eligible Tribal gov-
6 ernment may receive not more than the amount
7 equal to the product obtained by multiplying,
8 subject to subparagraph (B)—
9 (i) the prime-age employment gap of
10 the Tribal government;
11 (ii) the prime-age population of the
12 Tribal government; and
13 (iii) $70,585.
14 (B) CALCULATION OF POPULATION.—
15 (i) IN GENERAL.—Subject to clause
16 (ii), for purposes of subparagraph (A), the
17 population of a Tribal government shall be
18 equal to the sum obtained by adding—
19 (I) the product obtained by mul-
20 tiplying—
21 (aa) the total number of in-
22 dividuals residing on the Tribal
23 land of the Tribal government;
24 and
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS
25 (bb) 0.65; and
•S 2464 IS
VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:06 Jul 24, 2021 Jkt 019200 PO 00000 Frm 00046 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\S2464.IS S2464
47
1 (II) the product obtained by mul-
2 tiplying—
3 (aa) the total number of in-
4 dividuals included on the mem-
5 bership roll of the Tribal govern-
6 ment; and
7 (bb) 0.35.
8 (ii) USE OF DATA.—Each calculation
9 under clause (i) shall be determined based
10 on data provided by the applicable Tribal
11 government to the Department of the
12 Treasury under the Coronavirus State and
13 Local Fiscal Recovery Fund programs
14 under title VI of the Social Security Act
15 (42 U.S.C. 801 et seq.) (as amended by
16 subtitle M of title IX of the American Res-
17 cue Plan Act of 2021 (Public Law 117–2;
18 135 Stat. 4)).
19 (6) LOCAL COMMUNITIES WITH COOPERATION
20 AGREEMENTS.—If an eligible local community elects
21 to enter into a cooperation agreement under section
22 3(b)(2)(A) with 1 or more local communities that
23 are not eligible—
24 (A) each eligible local community that is a
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS
25 party to the cooperation agreement may receive
•S 2464 IS
VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:06 Jul 24, 2021 Jkt 019200 PO 00000 Frm 00047 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\S2464.IS S2464
48
1 the maximum amount available to the eligible
2 local community, as determined under para-
3 graph (3); and
4 (B) the Secretary may award to the lead
5 entity an additional amount equal to not more
6 than 10 percent of the total amount provided
7 under subparagraph (A), for distribution by the
8 lead entity to any local community or other ap-
9 plicant that is a party to the cooperation agree-
10 ment, regardless of whether the local commu-
11 nity or other applicant is eligible, for use in ac-
12 cordance with the applicable RECOMPETE
13 plan.
14 (d) OBLIGATION AND DISBURSEMENT OF FUNDS.—
15 (1) IN GENERAL.—On approval by the Sec-
16 retary of an application under section 4(a)(2)(E),
17 the Secretary shall—
18 (A) obligate the entire amount of the RE-
19 COMPETE grant for the applicable recipient;
20 and
21 (B) disburse that amount to the recipient
22 annually for each of the 10 fiscal years begin-
23 ning after the date of obligation, in accordance
24 with this subsection.
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS
•S 2464 IS
VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:06 Jul 24, 2021 Jkt 019200 PO 00000 Frm 00048 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\S2464.IS S2464
49
1 (2) PROPOSALS.—To receive an annual dis-
2 bursement under paragraph (1), a recipient shall
3 submit to the Secretary a proposal describing the in-
4 tended use by the recipient of the disbursement dur-
5 ing the applicable fiscal year (including the pro-
6 grams and activities proposed to be carried out and
7 any subcontractor or vendor proposed to be used for
8 those purposes), in accordance with the RECOM-
9 PETE plan of the recipient.
10 (3) PROVISION OF FUNDING.—On approval by
11 the Secretary of a proposal submitted by a recipient
12 under paragraph (2), the Secretary shall disburse to
13 the recipient the amount of the RECOMPETE
14 grant due to the recipient for the fiscal year, for use
15 in accordance with—
16 (A) the proposal; and
17 (B) the RECOMPETE plan of the recipi-
18 ent.
19 (e) COST SHARING.—
20 (1) FEDERAL SHARE.—
21 (A) IN GENERAL.—The Federal share of
22 the cost of each program and activity carried
23 out using a RECOMPETE grant shall be the
24 cost share described in subparagraph (B) for
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS
•S 2464 IS
VerDate Sep 11 2014 21:17 Jul 29, 2021 Jkt 019200 PO 00000 Frm 00049 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\S2464.IS S2464
50
1 the applicable recipient, subject to subpara-
2 graph (C) and paragraphs (2) through (4).
3 (B) DESCRIPTIONS OF COST SHARES.—
4 (i) LOCAL LABOR MARKETS.—For an
5 eligible local labor market, the cost share
6 referred to in subparagraph (A) shall be—
7 (I) 50 percent for an eligible
8 local labor market with a prime-age
9 employment gap equal to—
10 (aa) not less than 2.5 per-
11 cent; but
12 (bb) less than 3 percent; and
13 (II) an additional 6.25 percent
14 for each prime-age employment gap
15 percentage point of 3 percent or more,
16 as determined in accordance with the
17 following table:
Federal
Local labor market prime-age employment gap share
3 percent to less than 4 percent ..................................................... 56.25
percent
4 percent to less than 5 percent ..................................................... 62.5
percent
5 percent to less than 6 percent ..................................................... 68.75
percent
6 percent to less than 7 percent ..................................................... 75 percent
7 percent to less than 8 percent ..................................................... 81.25
percent
8 percent to less than 9 percent ..................................................... 87.5
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS
percent
9 percent to less than 10 percent ................................................... 93.75
percent
10 percent or greater ...................................................................... 100 percent.
•S 2464 IS
VerDate Sep 11 2014 21:17 Jul 29, 2021 Jkt 019200 PO 00000 Frm 00050 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\S2464.IS S2464
51
1 (ii) LOCAL COMMUNITIES.—For an el-
2 igible local community, the cost share re-
3 ferred to in subparagraph (A) shall be—
4 (I) 68.75 percent for an eligible
5 local community with a prime-age em-
6 ployment gap equal to—
7 (aa) not less than 5 percent;
8 but
9 (bb) less than 6 percent; and
10 (II) an additional 6.25 percent
11 for each prime-age employment gap
12 percentage point of 6 percent or more,
13 up to 100 percent, as determined in
14 accordance with the following table:
Federal
Local community prime-age employment gap share
6 percent to less than 7 percent ..................................................... 75 percent
7 percent to less than 8 percent ..................................................... 81.25
percent
8 percent to less than 9 percent ..................................................... 87.5
percent
9 percent to less than 10 percent ................................................... 93.75
percent
10 percent or greater ...................................................................... 100 percent.
15 (iii) PARTIAL LOCAL LABOR MAR-
16 KETS.—
17 (I) IN GENERAL.—Subject to
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS
18 subclause (II), for an eligible partial
19 local labor market, the cost share re-
•S 2464 IS
VerDate Sep 11 2014 21:17 Jul 29, 2021 Jkt 019200 PO 00000 Frm 00051 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\S2464.IS S2464
52
1 ferred to in subparagraph (A) shall
2 be—
3 (aa) 50 percent for an eligi-
4 ble partial local labor market
5 with a prime-age employment
6 gap equal to—
7 (AA) not less than 2.5
8 percent; but
9 (BB) less than 3 per-
10 cent; and
11 (bb) an additional 6.25 per-
12 cent for each prime-age employ-
13 ment gap percentage point of 3
14 percent or more, as determined
15 in accordance with the following
16 table:
Lesser of partial local labor market, and local labor market, Federal
prime-age employment gaps share
3 percent to less than 4 percent ..................................................... 56.25
percent
4 percent to less than 5 percent ..................................................... 62.5
percent
5 percent to less than 6 percent ..................................................... 68.75
percent
6 percent to less than 7 percent ..................................................... 75 percent
7 percent to less than 8 percent ..................................................... 81.25
percent
8 percent to less than 9 percent ..................................................... 87.5
percent
9 percent to less than 10 percent ................................................... 93.75
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS
percent
10 percent or greater ...................................................................... 100 percent.
•S 2464 IS
VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:06 Jul 24, 2021 Jkt 019200 PO 00000 Frm 00052 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\S2464.IS S2464
53
1 (II) CERTAIN LOCAL LABOR MAR-
2 KETS.—If an eligible partial local
3 labor market is located within a local
4 labor market with a prime-age em-
5 ployment gap that is less than the
6 prime-age employment gap of the par-
7 tial local labor market, the prime-age
8 employment gap of the local labor
9 market shall be used for purposes of
10 calculating the Federal share of the
11 partial local labor market under sub-
12 clause (I).
13 (iv) TRIBAL GOVERNMENTS.—For an
14 eligible Tribal government, the cost share
15 referred to in subparagraph (A) shall be
16 100 percent.
17 (C) AVAILABLE INCREASES.—
18 (i) RELATIVE NEED.—The Federal
19 share determined for a recipient under
20 clause (i), (ii), or (iii) of subparagraph (B)
21 may be increased, based on the relative
22 need of each applicable area and recipient
23 and in accordance with such regulations as
24 the Secretary may promulgate, to not more
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS
25 than 80 percent of the total estimated cost
•S 2464 IS
VerDate Sep 11 2014 21:17 Jul 29, 2021 Jkt 019200 PO 00000 Frm 00053 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\S2464.IS S2464
54
1 of the programs and activities included in
2 the RECOMPETE Plan for the applicable
3 area.
4 (ii) SEVERE ECONOMIC NEED.—The
5 Federal share determined for a recipient
6 under subparagraph (B) may be increased
7 to not more than 100 percent of the total
8 estimated cost of the programs and activi-
9 ties included in the RECOMPETE Plan
10 for the applicable area in any case in
11 which the Secretary determines that the
12 recipient or a subrecipient has—
13 (I) exhausted all other reasonable
14 financing and funding options; and
15 (II) demonstrated severe eco-
16 nomic need.
17 (2) SPECIAL RULE.—
18 (A) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in
19 subparagraph (B), the Federal share calculated
20 for an eligible local community under paragraph
21 (1) shall not be reduced due to an election by
22 the eligible local community to enter into a co-
23 operation agreement under section 3(b)(2)(A).
24 (B) EXCEPTION.—If additional amounts
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS
25 are provided for an eligible local community for
•S 2464 IS
VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:06 Jul 24, 2021 Jkt 019200 PO 00000 Frm 00054 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\S2464.IS S2464
55
1 distribution to subrecipients under section
2 3(b)(2)(A)(iii), the Federal share calculated
3 under paragraph (1) for the eligible local com-
4 munity shall be not more than 50 percent, sub-
5 ject to any increase in accordance with clause
6 (i) or (ii) of paragraph (1)(C), as applicable.
7 (3) NON-FEDERAL CONTRIBUTIONS.—In calcu-
8 lating the non-Federal share of the cost of a pro-
9 gram or activity carried out under a RECOMPETE
10 plan, the Secretary may provide a credit toward the
11 non-Federal share for any non-Federal contribution
12 to the program or activity—
13 (A) in cash or in-kind;
14 (B) fairly evaluated; and
15 (C) including any contribution of space,
16 equipment, assumption of debt, or service.
17 (4) REASSESSMENT.—
18 (A) IN GENERAL.—The Federal share and
19 non-Federal share determined for a recipient
20 under paragraphs (1) and (2) shall apply dur-
21 ing the period beginning on the date of enact-
22 ment of this Act and ending on the date on
23 which the initial benchmark evaluation relating
24 to the recipient is conducted under section 5(a).
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS
•S 2464 IS
VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:06 Jul 24, 2021 Jkt 019200 PO 00000 Frm 00055 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\S2464.IS S2464
56
1 (B) PERIODIC REEVALUATION.—As soon
2 as practicable after the date on which each
3 benchmark evaluation relating to a recipient is
4 conducted under section 5(a), the Secretary
5 shall—
6 (i) reevaluate the Federal share and
7 non-Federal share determined for the re-
8 cipient under this subsection; and
9 (ii) determine whether such a cost
10 share should be adjusted, subject to sub-
11 paragraph (C).
12 (C) LIMITATION ON FEDERAL SHARE.—
13 The Federal share determined for a recipient
14 under this subsection—
15 (i) shall not be decreased by more
16 than—
17 (I) 10 percent, as compared to
18 the Federal share determined for the
19 recipient under this subsection for the
20 preceding period; or
21 (II) 30 percent, in total; and
22 (ii) shall be not less than 50 percent.
Æ
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS
•S 2464 IS
VerDate Sep 11 2014 21:17 Jul 29, 2021 Jkt 019200 PO 00000 Frm 00056 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6301 E:\BILLS\S2464.IS S2464
File and source
- File
- BILLS_bills-117s2464is_bills-117s2464is.pdf
- Size
- 312,088 bytes
- SHA-256
- 246b41a0eb389e1be8ac2a5efba055cc9472c19bbf9e91146646e97e5085d739
- Original
- www.govinfo.gov