THE SPRINGFIELD-HOLYOKE RECOMPETE PLAN, LED BY THE MASSHIRE HAMPDEN COUNTY WORKFORCE BOARD, REQUESTS FUNDING TO CONNECT HISTORICALLY MARGINALIZED COMMUNITIES IN SPRINGFIELD AND HOLYOKE TO GOOD JOBS. RESIDENTS OF THE TARGETED NEIGHBORHOODS HAVE FACED PERSISTENT INEQUITY, STRUCTURAL RACISM AND DISINVESTMENT, AND THE AREA?S HIGH COST OF LIVING KEEPS FAMILIES FROM GETTING AHEAD. FUNDING WILL SUPPORT FOUR HOLISTIC INVESTMENTS THAT ADDRESS EMPLOYMENT BARRIERS THROUGH A SHARED SERVICES HUB, WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT AND TRAINING, AND THE EXPANSION OF EMPLOYER COMMITMENTS TO WORKER-FRIENDLY JOBS. A COALITION OF ANCHOR INSTITUTIONS HAVE COME TOGETHER TO TACKLE STRUCTURAL BARRIERS TO EMPLOYMENT AND CREATE EMPLOYER-LED ACCESS TO CAREER PATHWAYS.