U.S. Department of Commerce Invests $2 Million to Support Educational Training for Advanced Manufacturing in Central Wisconsin
WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo announced that the Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $2 million grant to Mid-State Technical College, Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin, to support the development of the College’s Advanced Manufacturing, Engineering Technology and Apprenticeship (AMETA) Center.
Located on the College’s Stevens Point campus, the AMETA will provide the region with a centralized location for education and workforce training in multiple industries. This EDA project is expected to create or retain more than 760 jobs and generate $2 million in private investment, according to grantee estimates.
“This EDA award is an example of President Biden’s commitment to investing in our workers and rebuilding American manufacturing.,” said Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo. “With the assistance of this federal funding, Mid-State Technical College will create more educational and workforce opportunities for local students, help meet industry demand for skilled workers, and create new economic opportunity and jobs in Wisconsin.”
“The Economic Development Administration plays an important role in helping communities implement their plans to strengthen their workforce and build a pipeline of skilled workers,” said Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Alejandra Y. Castillo. “This EDA investment will directly support the purchase of cutting-edge instructional equipment for the AMETA Center. We are proud to partner with Mid-State Technical College as it endeavors to sustain and grow multiple industries in Wisconsin, including advanced manufacturing, transportation, agriculture and food production, and forest products and paper.”
“Here in Wisconsin, we’re working to make smart, strategic investments to support working families, strengthen our workforce, and maintain our economy’s incredible momentum, and that’s why I’m proud to support the new AMETA Center in my 2023-25 Biennial Budget proposal,” said Governor Tony Evers. “This new facility will bring new jobs and countless opportunities to Central Wisconsin, and we appreciate our federal partners for recognizing the value of this center and for their support.”
“By expanding access to affordable education and job training to more Wisconsinites, we can not only grow our Made in Wisconsin economy, but also help more Americans find fulfilling careers in good-paying jobs,” said Senator Tammy Baldwin. “I’m proud to support Mid-State’s AMETA Center as they work to train the advanced workforce of tomorrow while helping Wisconsin businesses fill family-supporting jobs in manufacturing and the trades.”
“Wisconsin’s tech colleges provide great pathways to fulfilling careers. Students need access to quality workforce training, and our manufacturing industry needs skilled workers. I’m looking forward to seeing the impact of this grant in helping train the next generation of Wisconsinites who will build America,” said Congressman Derrick Van Orden (WI-03).
This project was made possible by the regional planning efforts led by the North Central Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission (NCWRPC). EDA funds NCWRPC 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 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.