Reinvest Birmingham Grant Proposal Could Inject $24.5M in Economic Opportunity and Workforce Development

www.birminghamal.gov The City of Birmingham has submitted the next phase of an application for a highly-competitive federal investment grant. Led by the Department of Innovation & Economic Opportunity, the $24.5 million proposal — named “Reinvest Birmingham” — could mean new centers for workforce training, childcare, entrepreneurship development, and more: impacting tens of thousands of residents across the North Birmingham, Northside, Smithfield, and Pratt communities. The City is one of only 22 finalists invited to compete for the Phase 2 Implementation Grant funding by the U.S. Department of Commerce — Economic Development Administration (EDA)’s Distressed Area Recompete Pilot Program. This is one of the most competitive grant programs in agency history and it seeks to invest in economically distressed communities by creating and connecting people to good jobs. “We are thrilled to compete as a Recompete Phase 2 finalist,” said Mayor Randall L. Woodfin. “This would not only give us a mechanism to support our home-grown talent but provide an opportunity to fill critical gaps within our workforce by taking a people-centered approach to economic development and growth.” The “Reinvest Birmingham” proposal is requesting federal funding to support and create good jobs through five strategic component projects: Development of a workforce...