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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
Grantees

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,
MO:  Pemiscot, Dunklin, and New Madrid                                            TN:  Shelby

$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
Grantees

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
PA:  Clarion, Crawford, Erie, Forest, Lawrence, Mercer, Venango, and Warren

$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
VA:  Lee, Scott, Washington, and Wise

$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.

Agency
Employment and Training Administration
Date
September 30, 2019
Release Number
19-1624-NAT
Media Contact: Egan Reich
Phone Number
Media Contact: Grant Vaught
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