Press Releases
Contact: John Atwood, 202-482-4085
Monday, June 18, 2012
U.S. Department of Commerce Invests $1.7 Million to Support Workforce Training Center in Jasper County, Mississippi
WASHINGTON - Acting U.S. Commerce Secretary Rebecca Blank today announced a $1.7 million Economic Development Administration (EDA) grant to Jones County Junior College and the Jasper County Board of Supervisors, Mississippi, to help build the Jasper County Workforce Training Center in the Jasper County-Bay Springs Industrial Park. The project is expected to create more than 390 jobs and generate more than $4.8 million in public and private investment, according to grantee estimates.
"This $1.7 million investment will help equip Mississippi workers with the skills they need to succeed in the growing advanced manufacturing sector, which is a top priority of the Obama Administration and the Commerce Department," said Acting Secretary Blank. "The grant to Jasper County will not only provide workers with the skills required for higher-paying jobs, but will also help attract additional employers to the area, giving a boost to the Mississippi economy and creating new jobs."
The Jasper County Workforce Training Facility will be a 30,000 square foot facility located in Bay Springs, Mississippi. The facility will be operated by Jones County Junior College and will offer a variety of educational services targeted at advanced manufacturing skills, including machining, petroleum, biology, chemistry, physics, and computer labs.
The Commerce Department is focused on three areas to help create more American jobs: supporting advanced manufacturing, helping U.S. companies increase exports, and encouraging more companies to invest in or expand operations in the United States. The White House Office of Manufacturing Policy coordinates the government-wide efforts to support and strengthen America's manufacturing sector, especially advanced manufacturing.
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 makes investments in economically distressed communities in order to create jobs for U.S. workers, promote American innovation, and accelerate long-term sustainable economic growth.
