Press Release

U.S. Department of Commerce Invests $2 Million to Support Workforce Development in Kannapolis, North Carolina

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross announced that the Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $2 million grant to Rowan-Cabarrus Community College of Kannapolis, North Carolina, to construct a new Advanced Technology Center (ATC) to serve regional industrial workforce demands for higher-skilled jobs. According to grantee estimates, the project is expected to create 133 jobs, retain 319 jobs and spur $66.8 million in private investment.

“From day one, President Trump has stressed the importance of increasing opportunities for American workers,” said Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross. “This grant will help build the new Rowan-Cabarrus Community College Advanced Technology Center, preparing the local community for competitive, high-skilled jobs in mechanics, engineering, robotics and 3-D printing.”

“Rowan-Cabarrus Community College does an incredible job providing our community access to 21st Century opportunities and careers,” said Rep. Hudson, a former Trustee on the Rowan-Cabarrus Community College Board. “This grant will help close the skills gap and equip more workers with the tools they need to get highly technical, good-paying jobs.”

The investment will fund construction of an 11,500 square-foot building on the North Carolina Research Park campus of Rowan-Carbarrus Community College that will serve as the ATC. The facility will keep the local work force up-to-date on current technologies and advance the pipeline of skilled technicians through ATC programming. This project was made possible by the regional planning efforts led by the Centralina Economic Development Commission. EDA funds the Centralina Economic Development Commission to bring together the public and private sectors to create an economic development roadmap to strengthen the regional economy, support private capital investment and create jobs.

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.