Press Release

U.S. Department of Commerce Invests $1.1 Million to Modernize Workforce Training Facilities at Pine Technical College in Minnesota

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross announced that the Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $1.1 million grant to Pine Technical College of Pine City, Minnesota, to support their workforce training center modernization, upgrade and expansion project.

“The Trump Administration is committed to supporting opportunities for technical training and manufacturing as a way to provide good jobs for Americans,” said Secretary Ross. “I looking forward to seeing how the improvements to Pine Tech’s workforce training facilities will expand Pine City’s high-skilled workforce and provide benefits to the area economy.”

“Every Minnesotan should be able to gain the skills necessary to get a good job to provide for themselves and their families,” said Senator Tina Smith, a member of the Senate Education Committee. “Through this grant to Pine Tech, more students will get the workforce training they need to get jobs in high-demand fields. I’m glad to see this significant investment coming to Minnesota because our two-year colleges like Pine Tech provide tremendous value for our students and state.”

“Pine Technical College is a leader in providing students with the skills and hands-on experience necessary for jobs in a wide-range of industries,” said Congressman Pete Stauber. “I look forward to seeing the improvements this grant will make to their state-of-the-art facilities and meet the next generation of welders, machinists, and mechanics that Pine Technical College will bring into our workforce.”

This project will help to renovate and equip the Pine Technical College workforce training center and provide the region with upgraded capacity to train workers in high-demand fields such as manufacturing, emergency services, automotive, and healthcare and support local business needs. This project was made possible by the regional planning efforts led by the East Central Regional Development Commission (ECRDC). EDA funds the ECRDC to bring together the public and private sectors to create an economic development roadmap that will 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.