A six-month technical assistance program bringing together state Labor Market Information (LMI) agencies and Workforce Development Boards to strengthen the accessibility, usability, and regional impact of sub-state labor market data.
Through support from the Ascendium Education Group and led by the Center for Regional Economic Competitiveness (CREC) and the LMI Institute, the Regional Data Connections (RDC) Cohort pairs peer learning with hands-on technical assistance — helping states move from data production to decision-making.
The inaugural cohort runs from June – December 2026. Stay tuned for updates!
Meet the 2026 RDC Cohort
North Carolina
NC LEAD – Northeastern WDB – Centralina WDB
North Carolina brings a mature LMI–WDB relationship and an innovative toolkit including the NCcareers.org platform and a modeled QCEW-based employment series. A focus is BLS data suppression at sub-state geographies, which forces boards to rely on costly private vendors.
Data Suppression
Synthetic Data
Customized Reports
Communications
New Jersey
NJDOL – Somerset County WDB – Union County WDB
New Jersey has a robust LMI–WDB partnership and is leading the cohort in technology vision. The team is interested in developing interactive dashboards, AI-enabled chatbots, and integrated real-time job postings data — aiming to transform static LMI delivery into dynamic, decision-ready tools for local workforce boards.
AI Chatbots
Dashboard Design
Real-Time Data
User-Centered Design
Hawaii
Hawaii DLIR – Oahu WDB
Hawaii is rebuilding its program from a foundational level — consolidating dispersed data resources, reestablishing stakeholder relationships, and developing a sustainable outreach and training strategy suited to its unique island economy.
Organizational Alignment
Data Accessibility
Outreach & Engagement
Dashboard Design
Texas
TWC LMI – WF Solutions Texoma – WF Solutions Lower Rio Grande
Texas brings deep experience producing accessible, user-friendly LMI across the state. Its focus is improving usability for varying skill levels, enhancing data visualizations, and expanding localized data down to the city and MSA level — with an eye on data-to-action strategies for regional workforce decisions.
Data Visualization
Localized Data
Data Accessibility
User-Centered Design
Shared Themes Across the Cohort
The four states have their individual action plans, but shared themes across the RDC Cohort include:
- LMI Accessibility & Usability
- Modernizing Data Delivery
- Integrating Real-Time Data
- LMI-WDB Communication
- Sub-State Data Gaps
Applications for the Regional Data Connections Cohort II Will Open in Early 2027
Across the country, workforce boards and practitioners depend on high-quality labor market data to make informed decisions — from guiding training investments to aligning education programs with the jobs employers actually need. But while many states generate sub-state labor market projections, accessibility and usability can vary widely. The result? Valuable data often remains out of reach for those who need it most.
The first RDC Cohort is underway. If you are a state LMI office or regional workforce board, and you are ready to work on advancing how sub-state projections and workforce data are used to shape policy and programs, this is for you. The second RDC Cohort will open for applications in early 2027.
Click here for Application Details and Requirements if you want to think about getting a team ready. There may be slight changes to the 2027 application, but this can give you a feel.