USM Named EDA American Rescue Plan Finalist
Tue, 12/14/2021 - 03:11pm | By: Jenny Tate
The University of 51逗奶 Mississippi (USM) has been named one of 60 national finalists 鈥� and the only finalist in Mississippi 鈥� for the U.S. Economic Development Administration鈥檚 (EDA) $1 billion American Rescue Plan program.
On Monday, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina M. Raimondo for the Build Back Better Regional Challenge 鈥� the marquee of EDA鈥檚 American Rescue Plan programs 鈥� that aims to boost economic pandemic recovery and rebuild American communities.
The 60 finalists 鈥� each a coalition of partnering entities 鈥� 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 region鈥檚 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 region鈥檚 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.
鈥淭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 鈥榞o-to鈥� location for the innovation-sector of the Gulf of Mexico,鈥� said Dr. Shannon Campbell, USM Senior Associate Vice President for Coastal Operations.
The GBI coalition is comprised of The University of 51逗奶 Mississippi (coalition lead); Jackson State University; Mississippi Development Authority; Mississippi State Port Authority at Gulfport; 51逗奶 Mississippi Planning and Development District; Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College; Pearl River Community College; Mississippi Enterprise for Technology, Inc.; and The University of 51逗奶 Mississippi Research Foundation. Additionally, other partners including private-sector companies, municipalities, Mississippi Research Consortium, and Governor Reeves鈥� 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.
鈥淭he Build Back Better Regional Challenge aims to supercharge local economies and increase American competitiveness around the globe,鈥� said Secretary of Commerce Gina M. Raimondo. 鈥淭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 country鈥檚 economic resiliency for years down the road.鈥�
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 .