Press Release

U.S. Department of Commerce to Invest $4.4 Million to Support Workforce Training in Bennettsville, South Carolina

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross announced that the Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $4.4 million grant to Northeastern Technical College of Cheraw, South Carolina, to establish a new workforce training center. The EDA grant, to be matched with more than $1.1 million in local investment, is expected to create more than 300 jobs.

“The Trump Administration is committed to creating new opportunities for Americans, especially in areas affected by recent natural disasters” said Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross. “The new training facility at the Marlboro Campus will prepare students for careers in specialized industries, equipping the region’s economy to become resilient in the face of future disasters.”

“This investment will support the renovation of a former Winn-Dixie facility and the construction of two small additional buildings for Northeastern Technical College’s Marlboro Campus,” said Dana Gartzke, Performing the Delegated Duties of the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development. “In addition to training for diesel technology and advanced manufacturing, the facility will enhance the regional applied heath and industrial training sectors.”

“This investment will support employers’ current and future hiring and retention goals, as well as provide access to career preparation and skills training for rural and underserved residents,” said Congressman Tom Rice (SC-07). “I am proud to support this effort to address economic and workforce resilience in the 7th Congressional District of South Carolina. Creating jobs and improving our workforce promotes an overall strong economy!”

This project was made possible by the regional planning efforts led by the Pee Dee Council of Governments, which EDA funds 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.

This project is funded by the Additional Supplemental Appropriations for Disaster Relief Act of 2019 (Pub. L. 116-20) (PDF), which provided EDA with $600 million in additional Economic Adjustment Assistance (EAA) Program funds for disaster relief and recovery for areas affected by Hurricanes Florence, Michael, and Lane, Typhoons Yutu and Mangkhut, wildfires, volcanic eruptions, and other major natural disasters occurring in calendar year 2018, and tornadoes and floods occurring in calendar year 2019, under the Robert T. Stafford Act. Please visit EDA’s Disaster Supplemental webpage.

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.