The U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration (ETA), in partnership with the Appalachian Regional Commission and the Delta Regional Authority, recently announced the availability of up to $29.2 million to fund dislocated worker demonstration projects. The grant program supports alignment of workforce development with existing strategies and plans for economic development and diversification in rural communities in the following areas hard hit by economic transition and recovering slowly:
- The Appalachian region
- The Lower Mississippi Delta region
The WORC Initiative enables impacted communities to develop local and regional workforce development solutions aligned with existing economic development strategies and community partnerships to promote new, sustainable job opportunities and long-term economic vitality. These grants will enable eligible applicants within the Appalachian and Delta regions to expand the impact of existing workforce development initiatives. These demonstration grant projects will provide valuable career, training, and support services to eligible individuals in counties and parishes and/or areas currently underserved by other resources. These grants support workforce development activities that prepare dislocated workers, new entrants to the workforce, and incumbent workers for good jobs in high-demand occupations aligned with a regional or community economic development strategy.
The solicitation provides further details about the program. Applications are due by July 15.
Source: JusticeCenter