Please note: As of January 20, 2021, information in some news releases may be out of date or not reflect current policies.
News Release
U.S. Department of Labor Awards Workforce Development Demonstration Grants of $29.2 Million to 18 Organizations in Appalachian and Delta Regions
WASHINGTON, DC - The U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration today awarded $29,175,000 in demonstration grant funds to expand the impact of workforce development efforts in the Appalachian and Delta regions through the Workforce Opportunity for Rural Communities (WORC) grant initiative.
These grant funds, awarded in collaboration with the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) and Delta Regional Authority (DRA), focus on rural areas hard hit by economic transition that are recovering slowly. Grantees have designed projects to address the specific skill needs of both businesses and workers in their grant’s service area, located in either the Appalachian region or the Lower Mississippi Delta region, as defined in 40 U.S.C 14102(a)(1), and in 7 U.S.C. 2009aa(2), respectively.
WORC grant applicants could apply for funding amounts between $150,000 and $2,500,000 for developing local and regional workforce development solutions aligned with existing economic development strategies. The grants also provide enhanced training and support activities to dislocated workers (including displaced homemakers); new entrants to the workforce; and incumbent workers. Individuals affected by substance abuse disorder may also receive services through this grant. Collectively, these grant activities promote new, sustainable job opportunities and long-term economic vitality.
A list of grantees and the areas they serve is below:
|
Delta Regional Authority |
State |
Counties/Parishes Served |
Award |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Base Camp Coding Academy |
MS |
Calhoun, Lafayette, Lee, Panola, Pontotoc, Tallahatchie, and Yalobusha |
$635,000 |
|
Northshore Technical Community College |
LA |
Jefferson, Orleans, Plaquemines, St. Bernard, St. Charles, St. James, St. John the Baptist, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa, and Washington |
$1,930,586 |
|
Southeastern Louisiana University |
LA |
Livingston, St. Helena, St. James, Tangipahoa, and Washington |
$2,457,701 |
|
Madisonville Community College |
KY |
Henderson, Hopkins, McLean, Muhlenberg, Union, and Webster |
$1,258,842 |
|
Arkansas Northeastern College |
AR |
AR: Craighead, Mississippi, Greene, Crittenden, Jackson, St. Francis, and Phillips, |
$2,324,336 |
|
University of West Alabama |
AL |
Choctaw, Clarke, Greene, Hale, Marengo, Perry, Pickens, Sumter, Washington, and Wilcox |
$2,499,809 |
|
Panola County, Mississippi |
MS |
Calhoun, Lafayette, Panola, Quitman, Tallahatchie, Tate, and Yalobusha |
$2,154,000 |
|
Hinds Community College |
MS |
Claiborne, Copiah, Hinds, Rankin, and Warren |
$1,327,226 |
|
Appalachian Regional Commission |
State |
Counties Served |
Award |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Spartanburg Community College |
SC |
Spartanburg and Cherokee |
$2,140,725 |
|
Research Foundation for SUNY |
NY |
Allegany, Broome, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Chemung, Chenango, Cortland, Delaware, Otsego, Schoharie, Schuyler, Steuben, Tioga, and Tompkins |
$1,962,182 |
|
West Central Job Partnership, Inc. |
PA |
OH: Columbiana, Mahoning, and Trumbull |
$2,500,000 |
|
Community Action Council for Lexington-Fayette, Bourbon, Harrison, and Nicholas Counties, Inc. |
KY |
Nicholas County |
$383,668 |
|
Coalfield Development Corporation |
WV |
WV: Cabell, Mingo, Lincoln, McDowell, Wayne |
$2,500,000 |
|
University of North Alabama |
AL |
Lauderdale, Colbert, Franklin, Marion, Winston, Lawrence, and Limestone |
$1,098,599 |
|
North Georgia Technical College |
GA |
Fannin, Franklin, Habersham, Rabun, Stephens, Towns, Union, and White |
$1,307,107 |
|
Randolph County Housing Authority |
WV |
Randolph County and the City of Elkins |
$750,000 |
|
The Alcohol and Drug Council of Tompkins County |
NY |
Chemung, Cortland, Schuyler, Steuben, Tioga, and Tompkins |
$566,521 |
|
Goodwill of North Georgia |
GA |
Cherokee, Clay, and Graham |
$1,378,698 |
The mission of the Department of Labor is to foster, promote, and develop the welfare of the wage earners, job seekers, and retirees of the United States; improve working conditions; advance opportunities for profitable employment; and assure work-related benefits and rights.
