Clallam County, is spearheading an initiative aimed at rejuvenating the North Olympic Peninsula through the Recompete Program. This strategy, backed by a proposed $50 million grant, targets the region’s historically underserved communities, aiming to create employment opportunities and economic vitality where it is lacking.
The North Olympic Peninsula, once a thriving hub for natural resources industries, has faced economic challenges following declines in its logging sector. In response, the Recompete Plan led by Clallam County seeks to revitalize these industries while also fostering new avenues for economic growth.
Key components of the proposed plan include establishing a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility on Makah Tribal lands, creating a natural resources innovation center, enhancing critical marine transportation infrastructure, and developing necessary industrial site infrastructure. Additionally, a comprehensive workforce strategy, integrated with social support services, aims to connect residents with stable and high-quality jobs.
Una Wirkebau, Coordinator of the Clallam County Recompete Plan, took a tour of Forks last Wednesday. Alongside City of Forks attorney/planner Rod Fleck, Wirkebau visited various community stakeholders and institutions crucial to the region’s economic revitalization efforts.
Wirkebua’s first stop was the West End Business and Professional Association (WEBPA) meeting. Wirkebau, speaking to the members of WEBPA, emphasized the importance of Recompete in connecting potential workers with job opportunities that provide a living wage. This initiative aims to create jobs that align with needed education, potentially utilizing Peninsula College to issue certificates for these roles. Despite recognizing challenges, Wirkebau indicated that data collection is underway to support these efforts.
Wirkebau also mentioned Derek Kilmer’s strong advocacy for this initiative. Fields like childcare and human care are especially needed. Fleck raised the important question of how to leverage the knowledge gained if the Recompete grant isn’t secured, suggesting potential need for creating additional forest products, and a use for the City’s Industrial Park.
The tour included meetings with educational institutions such as Peninsula College, and QVSD, community organizations like Ginger’s Closet/Disaster Relief, and key industry players including the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Olympic Region.
The purpose of Wirkebau’s visit was not only to familiarize herself with the local landscape and to ask questions but also to build connections with potential employers and organizations that could benefit from the Recompete Program’s initiatives. This engagement underscores Clallam County’s commitment to leveraging the Recompete funding effectively to bridge employment gaps and reintegrate residents who have become disconnected from the workforce.
The Recompete Program, administered by the Economic Development Administration (EDA), has identified Clallam County’s proposal as one of the 22 finalists selected from over 200 applications nationwide. This recognition positions the North Olympic Peninsula as a frontrunner for receiving funding, with awarded regions expected to receive between $20 to $50 million to implement their revitalization plans.
As Clallam County advances to Phase 2 of the Recompete Program, community leaders, tribal governments, educational institutions, and economic development partners are positioning to collaborate, ensuring that this transformative initiative not only revitalizes the local economy but also creates positive opportunities for its residents.
The Recompete Program’s goal is to empower economically distressed communities, like those in the North Olympic Peninsula, by investing in their economic future and paving the way for sustainable growth and prosperity. With support from a wide array of stakeholders, Clallam County’s Recompete Plan brings hope for communities seeking to reclaim their economic potential in today’s challenging landscape.
