As listed in the Six Step WIRED Methodology, one of the key attributes of WIRED is the need to leverage and utilize a region's assets to transform its economy.
DOL has enlisted a host of federal agencies to assist with this transformation. Partnerships with the agencies listed below represent the aligning of resources to best prepare a region for economic growth. While ETA focuses on talent development strategies, bringing other federal partners to the Initiative allows each region to also address infrastructure, education, housing and other issues as they apply to a specific region or industry.
Currently, ETA is working with:
- U.S Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development Agency
USDA's Rural Development Agency, assists rural individuals, communities and businesses obtain the financial and technical assistance they need to participate in the global economy.
- U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT)
DOT ensures a fast, safe, efficient, accessible and convenient transportation system that serves the vital interests of the nation and enhances the quality of life for the American people. Agencies across DOT address issues that are critical to regional economic development such as transportation infrastructure, transit and other critical sectors of the transportation industry.
- U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC) - Economic Development Administration (EDA)
- Economic Development Administration
EDA leads the federal economic development agenda by promoting innovation and competitiveness to prepare America's regions for growth and success in the global economy. EDA and ETA share common goals and maintain a close partnership through the WIRED Initiative. EDA supports regional economic development through the following programs: Public Works; Economic Adjustment Assistance; Trade Adjustment Assistance Centers; Partnership Planning; Research and National Technical Assistance; Local Technical Assistance and University Center Technical Assistance.
- National Institute of Standards and Technology - Manufacturing Extension Partnership (PDF)
Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) is a nationwide manufacturing assistance network that helps firms interested in improving their performance. The goal of the MEP is to strengthen the global competitiveness of U.S.-based manufacturing by providing information, decision support and implementation of innovative approaches focused on leveraging new technologies, techniques and business best practices through strategic partnerships and implementation.
- U.S. Department of Education (ED)
ED's mission is to ensure equal access to education and to promote educational excellence throughout the nation. As a WIRED partner, ED is working closely with WIRED Regions on a variety of Initiatives such as:
No Child Left Behind;
America Competitiveness Initiative;
Rural Education; and the
Teacher Initiative. ED assists in the development of programs that prepare 21st century workers with the skills 21st century jobs demand.
- U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)
DOE's overarching mission is to advance the national, economic and energy security of the United States; to promote scientific and technological innovation in support of that mission; and to ensure the environmental cleanup of the national nuclear weapons complex. DOE is partnering with the WIRED Initiative through its research and development and technology transfer activities at its national laboratories including the National Renewable Energy Laboratory in Golden, CO and the Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Oak Ridge, TN.
- National Science Foundation (NSF)
NSF's goal is to support the people, ideas and tools that make discovery possible. Another essential element in NSF's mission is support for science and engineering education, from pre-K through graduate school and beyond. Advanced Technological Education (ATE), an NSF program, focuses on the education of technicians for the high-technology fields that drive our nation's economy. The program involves partnerships between academic institutions and employers to promote improvement in the education of science and engineering technicians at the undergraduate and secondary school levels. NSF is partnering with 3 regions to develop ATE programs. NSF-funded research is integrated with education; helping to ensure there will always be a strong supply of skilled workers in new and emerging scientific, engineering and technological fields, and plenty of capable teachers to educate the next generation.
- Department of Defense (DoD)
The Department of Defense (DoD) offers several potential connections for WIRED communities. As the largest national funding source for basic research, communities with technical projects may find synergy in connecting with local DoD laboratory facilities via the Office of Acquisition, Technology and Logistics (AT&L). The most valuable office in AT&L for WIRED communities is its Office of the Director for Defense Research and Engineering (DDRE). This multi-faceted office is also the focal point for Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) and Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) advice and funding under the auspices of its Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA). WIRED projects with a Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education component at the K-12 or higher levels may benefit from collaboration with DDRE's Office of Laboratories and Basic Sciences for technical advice and funding. WIRED communities with impacts due the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) Commission's decisions should connect with DoD's Office of Economic Adjustment to ensure their WIRED strategy is fully integrated with existing BRAC planning efforts. Finally, WIRED communities with a military presence may also wish to connect with DoD's Office of Military Community and Family Policy (MC&FP) in order to better understand the military community itself and the unique challenges of military spouse employment.
