Press Release

U.S. Economic Development Administration Invests $960,000 to Support Workforce Development in South Texas

Contact: Public Affairs Department, (202) 482-4085
Tuesday, June 9, 2015

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Commerce Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) today announced a $960,000 grant to the City of Hondo, Texas to create a workforce development center. According to grantee estimates, the project will create more than 100 jobs over the next 5 years and a robust pipeline of trained workers in growing fields.

“Ensuring that communities have the adequate resources they need to train their workforce is a major priority for the Obama Administration, the Department of Commerce, and EDA,” said U.S. Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Jay Williams. “The EDA investment announced today will ensure workers have the skills employers are looking for, increasing employment opportunities for the people of South Texas.”

The region has worked to bolster its workforce training since 2011 when the South Texas Regional Training Center opened on the Hondo Airbase after four years of development and planning efforts. EDA’s investment will help expand the center, adding an additional 8,000 square feet of classroom and lab space that will be used for Certified Nursing Assistant and General Aviation certification programs. Both industries have been identified as high growth for the region in its Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS).

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.