Press Release

U.S. Department of Commerce Invests $788K in Community College to Support Manufacturing Training

Contact: EDA Public Affairs Department, (202) 482-4085
September 28, 2016

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $788,587 grant to South Arkansas Community College in El Dorado, Ark., to establish an advanced manufacturing training facility that will provide workforce training programs for students.

“Through our ‘Skills for Business’ initiative, the Department of Commerce has made skills and workforce development a priority,” said Jay Williams, U.S. Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development. “EDA is pleased to partner with South Arkansas Community College to ensure that Arkansas workers receive the top-notch training they need to compete for in-demand manufacturing jobs.”

The EDA grant will allow South Arkansas Community College to construct the Advanced Manufacturing Training Center (AMTC) to help workers in southern Arkansas get the training they need to compete for manufacturing jobs. The AMTC is being established to prepare the region’s workforce to compete for new manufacturing jobs. According to the school, the project will create 152 jobs and attract $150,000 in private investment.

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. To learn more about EDA, visit www.eda.gov.