U.S. Department of Commerce Invests $1 Million to Support Skilled Trade Workforce Training Efforts in Independence, Kansas
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo announced the Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $1 million grant to Independence Community College in Independence, Kansas, to support skilled trade workforce development in the region.
This grant will construct a new welding training facility at the college to provide training and certifications for welders. This EDA investment will be matched with $1 million in local funds and is expected to create 10 jobs and generate $1 million in private investment, according to grantee estimates.
“The Biden-Harris Administration’s Investing in America agenda is about ensuring that all communities have the resources and opportunities they need to thrive in today’s economy,” said Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo. “This EDA investment will help Independence Community College deliver the workforce training opportunities that local communities need to grow and thrive.”
“The U.S. Economic Development Administration supports locally led, place-based economic development,” said Deputy Assistant Secretary for Policy and External Affairs, performing the non-exclusive functions and duties of the Assistant Secretary for Economic Development Cristina Killingsworth. “This project in Independence will train students with the skills needed to secure a good job, spurring private investment and creating a strong regional economy.”
“This investment in Independence Community College will enable the college to build a new training facility to train welders and provide them with hands-on experience,” said Senator Jerry Moran. “Investing in this workforce will help Kansans secure quality jobs and meet the demand for welders across the state.”
This project was made possible by the regional planning efforts led by the Southeast Kansas Regional Planning Commission (SEKRPC). EDA funds SEKRPC 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.