Press Release

U.S. Department of Commerce Invests $5.1 Million to Construct Workforce Training Center in Lincoln County, Missouri

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross announced that the Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $5.1 million grant to Lincoln County, Missouri, to build a workforce training center. The EDA grant, to be matched with $360,000 in local investment, is expected to create nearly 100 jobs and generate $2.8 million in private investment.

“The Trump Administration is committed to supporting opportunities for technical training and manufacturing in order to provide jobs for Americans,” said Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross. “This investment will provide businesses in Missouri’s Boonslick region with the skilled workforce they need to grow and thrive.”

“Severe storms and flooding have impacted farming production capacity and have forced business closures,” said Dana Gartzke, Performing the Delegated Duties of the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development. “The new workforce training and educational facility to be established in Troy, Missouri, will train workers in advanced manufacturing, agricultural technology, and building and industry trades to boost regional resilience after natural disasters.”

“Now more than ever, Missouri needs skilled, resilient workers to help move our economy forward,” said Governor Mike Parson. “This project is a great investment in Missouri’s workforce as training facilities like these are critical to preparing our future generation for high-skilled, high-demand jobs.”

“This investment is great news for hardworking Missourians and our state's economy,” said Senator Roy Blunt. “Workforce development programs have a proven track record of preparing people with the skills and training they need for good-paying, in-demand jobs. This new facility will give individuals the opportunity to gain hands-on experience for careers in industries like manufacturing and agriculture. I appreciate the administration for supporting this project that will not only create jobs and enhance the local economy, but also help to strengthen Missouri’s role as a leader in agriculture and advanced manufacturing.”

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 (PDF) 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 for more information.

This project was made possible by the regional planning efforts led by the Boonslick Regional Planning Commission, 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.

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.