ARRA Resources for Sector Strategy Policy Makers

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) contains significant sources of sector-targeted funding, representing the first time federal appropriations have specifically supported sector strategies. The U.S. DOL provisions will offer $750 million for competitive grants in high growth and emerging sectors, including $500 million for “green jobs” and $250 million for healthcare and other high-demand sectors. An additional $100 million is provided for worker training related to electricity delivery and reliability, and $500 million (via the Health Resources and Services Administration) to address health profession workforce shortages. ARRA also reauthorizes the Trade Adjustment Assistance program, including within it for the first time $50 million in grants for industry or sector-based training partnerships in communities highly impacted by trade. Additionally, the ARRA provides $20 million to support programs that enhance training opportunities for women and minorities in Transportation, and the current allowance of up to 0.6% of state highway funding used for workforce training will likely also apply to recovery funds going directly to state transportation departments.

The ARRA is not the only indicator that the sector partnership approach is earning the attention and funding of federal policy makers. It is also likely that Workforce Investment Act reauthorization (now being worked on in both houses of Congress) will include support for sector partnerships. Separate proposed legislation, the SECTORS Act, offers another vehicle for ongoing Congressional support.

We have compiled the following list of resources that we think are of particular relevance to state policymakers thinking about how to use ARRA funds to help enhance their sector strategies. If you know of a resource that should be here but isn't, please email us so we can add it.

Summary of our survey of the 18 project states on the impact of ARRA on sector work. Plus detailed state-by-state spreadsheet.

Guide to Workforce Funding in ARRA from The Workforce Alliance (TWA)

Recovery Act Summary by Industry Sector from National Network of Sector Partners (NNSP)

Analysis of ARRA and Economic Development Programs from C2ER

Bringing Home the Green Recovery: A User’s Guide to the 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act from Green for All and PolicyLink

Trade Adjustment Assistance Sector Partnership Grant Program: Section-by-section Analysis from The Workforce Alliance (TWA)

Summary of Key Provisions of the ARRA Aimed at Improving the Lives of Low-Income Americans from the Center for Law and Social Policy (CLASP)

Metro Potential in ARRA from the Metropolitan Policy Institute at Brookings