RTI to lead national community of practice for EDA’s Recompete Pilot Program grantees

Independent research institute will support 22 coalitions across the U.S. working to increase employment and create good-paying jobs through technical assistance and peer learning

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. — RTI International, an independent scientific research institute, has been selected by the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) to lead the development and delivery of a national community of practice for six Phase 2 grantees and 16 Phase 1 finalists who are part of the EDA Recompete Pilot Program. The initiative aims to accelerate economic and workforce development in communities across the U.S. with persistently high unemployment rates, particularly among people 25 to 54 years old.

RTI is providing technical assistance, fostering collaboration among grantees and creating opportunities for peer learning to help coalitions implement their strategies for removing barriers to workforce participation.

RTI is partnering with New Growth Innovation Network (NGIN), a national nonprofit helping leaders implement innovative economic development approaches designed to expand economic opportunity. As a subawardee, NGIN is leveraging their expertise in capacity building, technical assistance, and unlocking resources for people and places, along with their experience working on federally funded initiatives, including prior work (Economic Partnership Alliance) supported by the EDA.

“This work is about amplifying and accelerating the efforts happening across Recompete coalitions nationwide,” said Jessica Wilkinson, lead for the Recompete community of practice.

“Because these coalitions are tackling similar challenges in very different parts of the country, having a space to share lessons learned and brainstorm solutions together is incredibly powerful. By connecting grantees from across the U.S., they can better learn from one another, strengthen their strategies, and ultimately accelerate their impact in increasing employment in their regions.”

The community of practice will serve 22 coalitions across the U.S., from Tribal nations in Montana, Washington and Wyoming to rural Appalachian counties, Gulf Coast regions and cities across the Midwest, Northeast and South.

The community of practice emphasizes technical assistance and peer learning in areas such as workforce development, data collection and analysis, project management, job support strategies, coalition building and governance, and employer engagement to reduce barriers to employment.

Learn more about the Recompete Pilot Program

Learn more about RTI’s economic development expertise