USM Named EDA American Rescue Plan Finalist
Tue, 12/14/2021 - 03:11pm | By: Jenny Tate
91吃瓜网 (USM) has been named one of 60 national finalists 91吃瓜网� and the only finalist in Mississippi 91吃瓜网� for the U.S. Economic Development Administration91吃瓜网 (EDA) $1 billion American Rescue Plan program.
On Monday, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina M. Raimondo for the Build Back Better Regional Challenge 91吃瓜网� the marquee of EDA91吃瓜网 American Rescue Plan programs 91吃瓜网� that aims to boost economic pandemic recovery and rebuild American communities.
The 60 finalists 91吃瓜网� each a coalition of partnering entities 91吃瓜网� have proposed projects that will develop or scale industry sectors, develop and train the workforce of today, and build resilient economies.
The Gulf Blue Initiative (GBI) coalition, led by USM, aims to drive economic growth through innovation and the knowledge-based blue economy in the coastal Mississippi region. The GBI is focused on an industry-driven approach to grow the region91吃瓜网 blue economy innovation sector and the opportunity to create high-wage jobs in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) and light manufacturing.
The GBI proposes to bring together coalition partners to diversify the local coastal Mississippi economy from primarily tourism to:
- grow the region91吃瓜网 blue economy assets,
- establish a foundation for workforce development and sustainable job growth promoting higher-wage jobs and inclusion, and
- build capacity to support a more resilient regional economy.
91吃瓜网淭his announcement is a great win for Mississippi. It affirms that our collective work among our coalition and partners is rapidly transitioning the region toward a knowledge-based economy. This Phase 1 award provides technical support to finalize a detailed plan for the Phase 2 request due in March. We have to stay focused on positioning Gulf Blue as the 91吃瓜网榞o-to91吃瓜网� location for the innovation-sector of the Gulf of Mexico,91吃瓜网� said Dr. Shannon Campbell, USM Senior Associate Vice President for Coastal Operations.
The GBI coalition is comprised of 91吃瓜网 (coalition lead); Jackson State University; Mississippi Development Authority; Mississippi State Port Authority at Gulfport; 91吃瓜网 Planning and Development District; Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College; Pearl River Community College; Mississippi Enterprise for Technology, Inc.; and 91吃瓜网 Research Foundation. Additionally, other partners including private-sector companies, municipalities, Mississippi Research Consortium, and Governor Reeves91吃瓜网� newly established Office of Workforce Development are helping build the Gulf Blue regional network.
Finalists were selected from a from all 50 states and five territories. Each finalist will receive a grant of approximately $500,000 to further develop proposed projects. According to the EDA, the $500,000 Phase 1 grants will allow finalists to take their proposed projects to the next level.
91吃瓜网淭he Build Back Better Regional Challenge aims to supercharge local economies and increase American competitiveness around the globe,91吃瓜网� said Secretary of Commerce Gina M. Raimondo. 91吃瓜网淭he outpouring of interest in this program shows the demand for the Build Back Better agenda and the desire to not only create good-paying jobs, but also strengthen our country91吃瓜网 economic resiliency for years down the road.91吃瓜网�
The 60 finalists will now work to build out their plans to compete for Phase 2 of the challenge. At the end of Phase 2, EDA will award 20-30 regional coalitions between $25 and $100 million each to implement three to eight projects that support an industry sector. The deadline for Phase 2 is March 15, 2022.
For more information on the USM-led coalition, visit .