Federal Interagency Thriving Communities Network

Putting Federal Commitments into Action

The Biden-Harris administration is making historic investments that address climate, economic development, and infrastructure needs in communities around the country thanks to the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (also known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law [BIL]), the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), and the American Rescue Plan (ARP), and annual appropriations. To make the most of these once-in-a-generation, transformational commitments, the White House and Cabinet agencies of the Executive Branch are coordinating closely on the planning, implementation, and technical support needed to ensure these investments create long-term benefits nationwide.

The Federal Government has also set a goal as part of President Biden’s Justice40 Initiative under Executive Order 14008 for 40 percent of the overall benefits of climate- and clean energy-related investments to flow to disadvantaged communities that are marginalized, underserved, and overburdened by pollution.

The Administration can only achieve its Justice40 goal if we provide coordinated resources to communities to help overcome the barriers between Federal funding and the places that need them most.

Whole of Government Approach to Federal Coordination of Place-Based Technical Assistance

The Thriving Communities Network is designed to help Cabinet agencies coordinate strategy, collaborate across initiatives, and target deployment of a full range of Federal place-based technical assistance and capacity-building resources to urban, rural, and Tribal communities experiencing a history of economic distress and systemic disinvestment. This effort includes resources to help disadvantaged communities with grant and financial management, pre-development assistance, community engagement, planning, and project delivery support.

Each Thriving Communities Network partner agency is committed to coordinating and collaborating between their technical assistance programs, especially within regional or field offices that often serve as front doors and key points of contact to support communities. By working alongside and within communities, technical assistance programs can better support the locally identified needs and priorities.

Thriving Communities Shared Principles

Thriving Communities Network partner agencies commit to collectively supporting the following shared principles:

• Scale for Impact – Proactively identify and collaboratively support transformative projects that demonstrate the potential for equitable, inclusive community and economic development in underserved communities.
• Build Community Wealth – Build long-term community capacity to successfully compete for, leverage, and manage the investment of Federal funds in strategic projects and activities that build lasting community wealth.
• Center the Power of Community – Provide technical assistance that values, leverages, and grows the local expertise existing within communities regarding their needs with inclusive and culturally competent public engagement processes.
• Meet Areas of Greatest Need – Prioritize support to rural, urban, suburban, and Tribal communities that have the greatest resource and capacity needs.
• Expand Access and Participation – Intentionally remove barriers and create access to economic, health care, education, energy, housing, and environmental opportunities in every part of the country.
• Diversify Knowledge – Diversify the pool of capacity-building providers to include a greater number of disadvantaged and small businesses, entrepreneurs, and those with community-based expertise.

Participating Agencies and Programs

During the fiscal year (FY) 2023 launch year, the Thriving Communities Network will focus on implementing a set of identified technical assistance programs. Participating agencies and technical assistance programs include the following: