Clallam County District 3 Commissioner Mike French updated the Forks City Council on Monday, Oct. 14, about the Recompete Grant awarded to the region. The grant totals $35.6 million in funding over five years, although it is not yet under contract. Out of 500 applicants, six were selected, including the North Olympic Peninsula Recompete Coalition (NOPRC).
The NOPRC includes representatives from Clallam and Jefferson counties, four city governments, five recognized tribal governments, both ports, economic development nonprofits, Peninsula College, and other organizations such as DSHS, Olympic Community Health, and YMCA. The goal of the funding is to address the “Prime Age Employment Gap” among individuals aged 25-54 by improving labor force participation.
The strategy focuses on three main areas: workforce development, supportive services/barrier removal, and job creation. Six of the eight proposed projects were funded:
1. Workforce Development Project ($6.9 million): Led by Peninsula College, this project will establish new and existing employer-led workforce development programs. It also includes investments in training equipment, including mobile training units. Partners include the NW School of Wooden Boat Building, Olympic Workforce Development Council, and Jefferson Economic Development Council.
2. Olympic Peninsula Resource Hub ($9.8 million): Led by Olympic Community Health, this project focuses on supportive services such as child care and transportation vouchers, as well as barrier removal for workforce participation. Partners include YMCA and Clallam/Jefferson Transit.
3. Peninsula Barging Network ($6.0 million): Led by the Port of Port Angeles, this project will purchase three barges to better utilize the Marine Highway System.
4. CRTC Thermal Modification Unit ($1.2 million): Led by the Composite Recycling Technology Center (CRTC) and the Port of Port Angeles, this project will purchase a thermal modification unit to increase local manufacturing, with a partnership to source and mill wood from the Makah Tribe.
5. Tribal and Underserved Communities Initiative ($8.5 million): Led by the North Olympic Development Council, this initiative serves five federally recognized tribes and areas such as Forks and the North Hood Canal Chamber of Commerce. It provides economic development funding directed by tribal leadership.
6. NOPRC Governance ($3.2 million): Led by Clallam County, this funding will be used to hire a Recompete Plan Coordinator and two support staff, focusing on data analysis, grant oversight, and coalition coordination.
This significant investment aims to boost employment and economic development across the Olympic Peninsula.
