Press Release

U.S. Economic Development Administration Invests $845,000 to Support Workforce Training and Development in Washington State

Contact: Public Affairs Department, (202) 482-4085
Thursday, May 1, 2014

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Commerce Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) today announced a $845,000 grant to Lower Columbia College in Longview, Washington, to purchase equipment that will be used to train workforce in several scientific disciplines.

“Workforce development is a critical step to growing a region’s economy,” said U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Matt Erskine. “The EDA grant announced today will train workers for jobs that can be filled now to help the region flourish.”

Following reductions in the main job-providing industry, the Longview region created an economic development plan that calls for more science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) related businesses. In order for the economic development plan to succeed, there needs to be a strong workforce pipeline. According to the grantee, the region has suffered from high unemployment and poverty, and the current workforce has low educational attainment levels. The EDA investment will help attract more STEM-related businesses to the region through the purchase of equipment needed to help train workers in those fields.

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.