The City of Allentown Recompete Plan was submitted to the U.S. Economic Development Administration as part of our Phase 2 application to the Distressed Area Recompete Pilot Program ("Recompete"). This is a competitive federal grant that can bring $20 million to our city! 

Recompete is a place-based investment program that aims to lift communities up from economic challenges. The primary focus of the program is to close the prime-age employment gap (PAEG) and support 25-54 year old residents get into the workforce and earn good-paying jobs. Our plan selects Franklin Park, Center City, and the 1st and 6th Wards as Recompete priority neighborhoods. The employment gap here is double the citywide level at 12.1%. 

Recompete will remove barriers to prime-age employment, like language barriers, skills gaps, childcare access, and reliable transportation, and build connections to high opportunity industries. This plan prioritizes jobs in healthcare and manufacturing. Four core strategies organize eight strategic interventions within this plan. Recompete will facilitate local employment, expand access to needs responsive childcare, invest in transportation options, and build connections to high opportunity industries.  

This application's mission is to grow a diverse, expanded, and trained workforce in order to ensure greater, more equitable participation in citywide and regional economic growth. By earning implementation dollars, this Plan could employ nearly 700 residents by 2030, reducing local unemployment by 60%. Ultimately, Recompete will put Allentown workers in a stronger position to earn higher wages, travel shorter distances to work, and create new chapters of opportunity for their communities. 

Learn more about our Recompete Plan below! Notices of award are anticipated end of Summer 2024.