ONSHORE Act of 2023 Opportunities for Non-developed Sites to Have Opportunities to be Rehabilitated for Economic Development Act of 2023
The ONSHORE Act emphasizes economic development in rural and Tribal communities as well as economically disadvantaged regions facing high unemployment rates. The grants will facilitate site preparation, job training, and infrastructure improvements, which are vital for establishing a robust domestic manufacturing base. The legislation specifically does not require recipients to prove that a private entity has selected the site for development, thereby promoting flexibility in site selection for grant allocation. This change aims to bolster regional economic strategies and provide job opportunities in areas historically overlooked by conventional industrial investments.
SB1915, also known as the ONSHORE Act of 2023, aims to amend the Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965 by establishing the Critical Supply Chain Site Development grant program. This program is designed to provide financial assistance to eligible recipients for the development or expansion of sites intended for manufacturing projects, especially those linked to foreign direct investments and industries deemed strategically important by the Secretary of Commerce. With a proposed budget of $100 million annually from fiscal year 2024 through 2028, the grant program is centered on enhancing the readiness of sites to support advanced manufacturing and reshoring of companies to the United States.
While the ONSHORE Act is geared towards fostering economic growth, it has sparked conversations regarding government support for domestic manufacturing versus reliance on foreign entities. Critics may raise concerns about the efficacy of such government-funded initiatives in genuinely revitalizing local economies and compare these programs to previous efforts that may not have yielded the desired outcomes. Furthermore, ensuring that grants are awarded equitably and effectively to diverse communities remains crucial to the success of such initiatives. A critical challenge will be to balance the need for expedited economic recovery while also ensuring accountability and tangible results from the investments made.