U.S. Department of Commerce Invests $5 Million in CARES Act Recovery Assistance to Expand Workforce Development Opportunities in Central Illinois

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo announced the Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $5 million grant to Lincoln Land Community College, Springfield, Illinois, to renovate and expand campus training facilities.

This grant will support career development in a number of fields, including emergency medical services, agriculture, diesel technology, preparing students for in-demand positions in the region. The EDA investment will be matched with $1.2 million in local funds and is expected to create 400 jobs, according to grantee estimates.

“President Biden is committed to delivering federal resources to communities recovering and building back stronger from the pandemic,” said Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo. “This EDA investment in Lincoln Land Community College will expand their capacity to train students and meet regional workforce demands.”

“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 EDA investment provides training and job opportunities that will build resiliency in the region for decades to come.”

“Lincoln Land Community College is a leading hub for workforce development in Central Illinois,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “This funding complements our Illinois Workforce Equity Initiative, which has given over 5,000 students statewide a chance to advance their career through a comprehensive training program in the fields of manufacturing, electrical and automotive repair, transportation, logistics, and healthcare. I’m thankful for the Biden-Harris administration’s continued investment in the long-term success of the Illinois workforce.”

“Our students are the lifeline of our future workforce,” said Senator Dick Durbin. “By expanding opportunities for students to grow their skills, this investment will help ensure they have the proper resources to find jobs in high-demand industries. I’ll continue offering my full federal support to prepare Illinois’ students for their careers.”

“Expanding facilities and programs to train Illinoisans for in-demand, good-paying jobs is crucial to helping the next generation succeed and contribute to their communities,” said Senator Tammy Duckworth. “This federal support will help Lincoln Land Community College in Springfield create jobs and expand opportunities for folks to develop the skills that will set them up for success both today and well into the future.” 

This project is funded under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act (Public Law 116-136), which provided EDA with $1.5 billion for economic assistance programs to help communities prevent, prepare for, and respond to coronavirus. EDA CARES Act Recovery Assistance, which is being administered under the authority of the bureau’s flexible Economic Adjustment Assistance (EAA) program, provides a wide range of financial assistance to eligible communities and regions as they respond to and recover from the impacts of the coronavirus pandemic.

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.