Press Release

U.S. Department of Commerce Invests $2.7 Million in American Rescue Plan Funds to Boost Cybersecurity and IT Workforce Development Efforts in Tuscaloosa, Alabama

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo announced that the Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $2.7 million grant to Stillman College, Tuscaloosa, Alabama, for building renovations to support development of a cybersecurity and information technology training center. This grant is funded by the American Rescue Plan.

This project will help establish a technical training facility that will work to meet local employers’ existing and future workforce needs. This EDA grant will be matched with $100,000 in state funds and is expected to create 100 jobs, retain 100 jobs and generate $1 million in private investment, according to grantee estimates.

“President Biden is committed to harnessing the full power of the federal government to ensure our nation not only recovers from this pandemic but builds a better America for the future,” said Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo. “This EDA investment will boost workforce development efforts at Stillman College, providing students with the skills they need to compete for good-paying jobs in a growing and expanding career field.”

“The Economic Development Administration plays an important role in supporting community-led economic development strategies designed to boost coronavirus recovery and response efforts,” said Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Alejandra Y. Castillo. “This training facility will be an important asset in growing the region’s capacity to provide the critical training programs that businesses and workers in the region need to compete.”

“As the only member of the Alabama Delegation to support the American Rescue Plan, I am so proud that the Economic Development Administration is awarding this funding to the historic Stillman College in Tuscaloosa,” said Congresswoman Terri Sewell (AL-07). “This transformative grant will help create 100 jobs in West Alabama, equip our students with critical skills, and position our community for future economic growth. I thank President Biden and Secretary Raimondo for supporting community-led economic development and fighting to ensure that our next generation of students can pursue careers in the 21st century economy.”

This project was made possible by the regional planning efforts led by the West Alabama Regional Commission (WARC). EDA funds WARC 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 under EDA’s American Rescue Plan Economic Adjustment Assistance program, which makes $500 million in Economic Adjustment Assistance grants available to American communities. The Economic Adjustment Assistance program is EDA’s most flexible program, and grants made under this program will help hundreds of communities across the nation plan, build, innovate, and put people back to work through construction or non-construction projects designed to meet local needs. Effective May 26, 2022, EDA has officially closed all of its American Rescue Plan programs for applications. The $3 billion program funding will be awarded on a rolling basis through September 30, 2022.

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 invests in communities and supports regional collaboration in order to create jobs for U.S. workers, promote American innovation, and accelerate long-term sustainable economic growth.