Press Release

U.S. EDA Invests $1.79 Million to Expand Critical Training Opportunities for South Carolina Workers

August 9, 2011
Contact: John Atwood, (202) 482-4085

WASHINGTON - Acting U.S. Commerce Secretary Dr. Rebecca Blank today announced a $1.79 million Economic Development Administration (EDA) grant to Piedmont Technical College, Newberry County, and the Piedmont Technical College Area Commission in South Carolina to relocate and expand Piedmont Technical College's Newberry campus to increase critical workforce training opportunities for South Carolina workers. The project is expected to create 490 jobs and generate $36.5 million in private investment, according to grantee estimates.

"Strengthening training opportunities for American workers is critical to our ability to create jobs and remain competitive," Blank said. "This project will help South Carolina residents qualify for higher-skill, higher-wage jobs at local companies and in the region's growing advanced manufacturing cluster."

This EDA investment will fund the renovation of an existing vacant, big-box retail facility to support the expansion of Piedmont Technical College's Newberry campus. The new facility will provide the necessary capacity to initiate new training programs designed to enhance workforce competitiveness for jobs in advanced manufacturing and technology-led industries, including the automotive cluster in the region.

About the U.S. Economic Development Administration:

The mission of the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) is to lead the federal economic development agenda by promoting competitiveness and preparing the nation's regions for growth and success in the worldwide economy. An agency within the U.S. Department of Commerce, EDA makes investments in economically distressed communities in order to create jobs for U.S. workers, promote American innovation and accelerate long-term sustainable economic growth.