Greater Grays Harbor, GHC, and Partners Awarded $500,000 for Job Creation

Posted on: Dec, 27, 2023

Grays Harbor College partnered with Greater Grays Harbor, Inc., the Pacific County Economic Development Council, and Rock Project Management Services on a proposal for the Economic Development Association’s Recompete Pilot Program. On December 20, 2023, the Biden-Harris Administration announced that Greater Grays Harbor, Inc., the leading organization in the partnership, was selected to receive $500,000 to help create jobs thanks to the Distressed Area Recompete Pilot Program.

The Recompete Program is designed to target the hardest-hit and most economically distressed areas in the country where prime-age (25-54 years) employment is significantly lower than the national average, with the goal to close this gap through flexible, locally-driven investments. Upon looking into the EDA’s Prime Age Employment Gap (PAEG) mapping tool, GGHI and their stakeholders identified Grays Harbor County as the highest PAEG of all counties in Washington State at 14.99%, while Pacific County’s PAEG was also high at 5.44%.

After receiving over 560 applications during Recompete’s initial competition, the EDA announced the process was the highest in demand of any national program in EDA’s history.

“We are excited to collaborate with Greater Grays Harbor, Inc. and our fellow stakeholders in building the workforce of the future,” said Grays Harbor College President Dr. Carli Schiffner. “For nearly 100 years, Grays Harbor College has provided workforce training to support our region’s economic needs. Our robust industrial technology programs serve as a solid base for future growth, and this historic funding will play a crucial role in equipping our community with essential skillsets for the years ahead.”

Visit Greater Grays Harbor’s website to read more.