Press Release

U.S. EDA Invests $2 Million to Grow Aviation Workforce in New Jersey

September 19, 2011
Contact: John Atwood, (202) 482-4085

WASHINGTON - Acting U.S. Commerce Secretary Rebecca Blank today announced a $2 million Economic Development Administration (EDA) grant to Atlantic Cape Community College of Mays Landing, N.J., to help establish the Technical Studies Institute, which will support an aviation-related curriculum to develop local talent in the aviation industry. The project is expected to create 52 jobs after the first year, according to grantee estimates.

"The Obama Administration is committed to creating jobs, encouraging innovation and improving our nation's economic competitiveness," Blank said. "This EDA grant will support Atlantic Cape's efforts to address the pressing need for leading edge technology training to further develop the potential labor supply in support of the expansion of the aviation research cluster in Southern New Jersey."

The Technology Studies Institute will be established within the Science Technology Engineering & Math (STEM) building at the Mays Landing campus of Atlantic Cape Community College. The facility will include specialty demonstration and technology labs designed to support aviation related equipment to train in aviation occupations, including Air Traffic control systems.

About the U.S. Economic Development Administration (www.eda.gov):

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.