Press Release

U.S. Department of Commerce Invests $2 Million to Build Health Education Facility in Kenansville, North Carolina

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross announced that the Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $2 million grant to the Trustees of James Sprunt Community College of Kenansville, North Carolina, to construct a workforce training facility that will expand the College’s Licensed Practical Nursing and Registered Nursing programs. According to grantee estimates, the project is expected to create 111 jobs and spur $12 million in private investment.

“The Trump Administration is committed to taking action that opens new opportunities for all Americans,” said Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross. “The construction of the James Sprunt Community College workforce training facility will help those in the community gain the skills necessary to succeed.”

“This is an important investment in rural eastern North Carolina that will help people stay near home to get trained in a high-demand profession with good-paying jobs that help families access needed health care,” said Governor Roy Cooper. “Training North Carolinians to get the skills for jobs available right now has never been more important.”

“The announcement of this grant is great news for our community -- bringing more than 100 jobs and $12 million in economic investment,” said Congressman David Rouzer. “I applaud the Trump Administration's commitment to vocational and technical education and for utilizing the funds appropriated by Congress to leverage additional resources for this project which will benefit the economy, create jobs and improve access to quality health care in eastern North Carolina.”

This project will provide critical resources to meet the demand for healthcare professionals in rural North Carolina. Specifically, the investment will fund the construction of a two-story classroom and lab facility, fostering the development of a skilled, local workforce. This project was made possible by the regional planning efforts led by the Eastern Carolina Council. EDA funds the Eastern Carolina Council 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 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.