U.S. Department of Commerce Invests $6 Million to Support Workforce Development Efforts in the Northern Mariana Islands

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina M. Raimondo announced that the Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $6 million grant to the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands Public School System, Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands, to support construction of a vocational training facility. The EDA grant, to be matched with $6 million in local investment, is expected to create 85 jobs.

“President Biden is committed to getting people back to work and developing the skilled workforce that business need to fill the jobs available today,” said Secretary of Commerce Gina M. Raimondo. “This EDA project will support the Northern Mariana Islands’ ongoing recovery from the impact of Super Typhoon Yutu by expanding worker training opportunities to ensure that the Commonwealth builds back stronger.”

“The Economic Development Administration supports communities as they implement workforce development strategies to help their residents get back to work,” said Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Alejandra Y. Castillo. “This investment will facilitate the construction of a two-story, 50,000-square foot facility to house hospitality, automotive technology, nursing, cosmetology, and other vocational training programs.”

“Building our local workforce is a paramount priority here in the CNMI, and this vocational training facility for our Public School System will assist our ongoing efforts to develop skilled workers to fill jobs within our economy and improve the quality of life for our island community,” said Governor Ralph DLG. Torres. “We are thankful to EDA for its partnership in rebuilding our economy and ensuring resiliency for our Commonwealth.”

This project is funded by the Additional Supplemental Appropriations for Disaster Relief Act of 2019 (Pub. L. 116-20), which provided EDA with $600 million in additional Economic Adjustment Assistance (EAA) Program funds for disaster relief and recovery for areas affected by Hurricanes Florence, Michael, and Lane, Typhoons Yutu and Mangkhut, wildfires, volcanic eruptions, and other major natural disasters occurring in calendar year 2018, and tornadoes and floods occurring in calendar year 2019, under the Robert T. Stafford Act. Please visit EDA’s Disaster Supplemental webpage for more information.

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 invests in communities and supports regional collaboration in order to create jobs for U.S. workers, promote American innovation, and accelerate long-term sustainable economic growth.