FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DECEMBER 20, 2024
Media Contact: communications@americaachieves.org
America Achieves Celebrates the Passage of Bipartisan Place-Based and Workforce Development Legislation
America Achieves, the national nonprofit dedicated to ensuring that everyone has a clear path to a good job and a career with upward mobility, congratulates Congress on the passage of several important bipartisan legislative measures. These include the reauthorization of the Economic Development Administration (EDA) and the continued commitment to the Regional Tech Hubs Program.
These achievements represent meaningful progress in helping people and the communities where they live and work by strengthening America’s workforce, boosting regional economies, promoting economic growth, and ensuring our nation’s competitiveness in the global economy.
Reauthorization of the Economic Development Administration
The reauthorization of the EDA – the first in 20 years – represents a forward-looking step in aligning regional economic development strategies with workforce priorities. The legislation reauthorizes the EDA’s authorities and programs for the first time since 2004, as well as regional commissions which will bolster economic growth and job creation in the areas that need it the most.
Continued Commitment to the Regional Tech Hubs Program
Funding secured for the Regional Tech Hubs Program underscores the federal government’s commitment to fostering innovation and driving economic growth in technology areas important to global competitiveness. By strengthening support for emerging technology ecosystems, this program helps spur new job creation, enhance global competitiveness, and ensure that economic opportunity reaches historically underserved regions. America Achieves celebrates this vital investment in our nation’s technological future.
A Commitment to Bipartisan Collaboration and Real Impact
“The passage of these important pieces of legislation demonstrates what is possible when leaders come together with a shared vision for building a stronger, more inclusive economy,” said Jon Schnur, CEO of America Achieves. “The bipartisan reauthorization and modernization of EDA and continued support of the Regional Tech Hubs Program represent significant progress toward equipping workers with the skills they need, addressing regional economic disparities, and positioning the United States as a global leader in innovation. We are thrilled to see these priorities come to fruition and look forward to working with federal, state, and local partners to ensure their successful implementation.”
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About America Achieves
For more than a decade, America Achieves has incubated high-performing initiatives, launched new nonprofit organizations, shaped over $2 billion in federal funding for inclusive economic development, and partnered with local leaders focused on making their communities better places to live, learn, work, and raise a family. Our organization and partners place a special focus on those who have been left behind — and whose talents are not yet being fully leveraged to build economic opportunity for themselves and their communities. America Achieves helps local economic and workforce development intermediaries, coalitions, and states to fund, develop and implement the programs, strategies and systems that create sustainable pathways to good jobs.
For more information, visit americaachieves.org.
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