Article Summary –
The U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) awarded a $1.3 million grant to West Virginia University at Parkersburg (WVUP) to support advanced manufacturing workforce training, with an additional $333,837 in local funds. The grant will fund the development of the WVUP Advanced Manufacturing Training Facility and procurement of related equipment, as part of the Assistance to Coal Communities (ACC) initiative aimed at economic diversification and job creation in regions affected by the decline of coal usage. U.S. officials, including Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo and Senators Joe Manchin and Shelley Moore Capito, emphasized the grant’s role in preparing West Virginians for quality manufacturing jobs and enhancing the local and national economy.
The U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) has awarded a $1.3 million grant to West Virginia University at Parkersburg (WVUP) to enhance advanced manufacturing workforce training in the region, as announced by U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo. The grant will aid in developing the WVUP Advanced Manufacturing Training Facility and procuring necessary equipment, with an additional $333,837 in local funds supplementing the investment.
This initiative, endorsed by President Biden, aims to bolster America’s competitiveness by equipping West Virginians with the skills required for quality, well-paying jobs in manufacturing. Secretary Raimondo emphasized that the investment aligns with the administration’s commitment to workforce development.
Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Alejandra Y. Castillo highlighted the EDA’s role in supporting local strategies to create economic opportunities, expressing satisfaction in assisting WVUP in preparing locals for advanced manufacturing jobs. Senator Joe Manchin praised the grant for its potential to stimulate economic growth in the Mid-Ohio Valley and enhance workforce development.
Senator Shelley Moore Capito, Ranking Member of the Senate EPW Committee, acknowledged the EDA’s critical partnership in bolstering West Virginia’s economy, noting that the funding will significantly benefit WVU Parkersburg’s manufacturing training programs. The project is funded under the Assistance to Coal Communities (ACC) initiative, which supports economic diversification and workforce development in communities affected by the declining use of coal.
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