U.S. Department of Commerce Invests $2.3 Million in American Rescue Plan Funds to Equip Manufacturing Workforce Training Center in Laramie County, Wyoming

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina M. Raimondo announced the Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $2.3 million grant to Laramie County Community College (LCCC) to purchase equipment for its new Advanced Manufacturing and Materials Center. This grant is funded by the American Rescue Plan and EDA’s $300 million Coal Communities Commitment.

This grant will provide equipment allowing LCCC to broaden its education and training offerings to produce a skilled workforce in the Advanced Manufacturing Industry. This EDA project will be matched with $578,449 in local funds and is expected to create 2,237 jobs.

“President Biden’s American Rescue Plan offers direct relief to American communities as they work to build back better from the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic and address a changing economy,” said Secretary of Commerce Gina M. Raimondo. “This project is part of EDA’s Coal Communities Commitment and will provide support as the state strengthens new industries and creates good-paying jobs for Wyoming workers.”

“The Economic Development Administration works closely with communities to develop tailored support as they create stronger regional economies after the pandemic,” said Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Alejandra Y. Castillo. “This investment will support the state of Wyoming as it develops new industries that will drive a resilient 21st Century Economy. This project will create a skilled manufacturing workforce to build a stronger, more diverse regional economy.”

This project is funded under EDA’s American Rescue Plan Economic Adjustment Assistance program, which makes $500 million in Economic Adjustment Assistance grants available to American communities. The Economic Adjustment Assistance program is EDA’s most flexible program, and grants made under this program will help hundreds of communities across the nation plan, build, innovate, and put people back to work through construction or non-construction projects designed to meet local needs.

EDA’s Coal Communities Commitment allocates $300 million of EDA’s $3 billion American Rescue Plan appropriation to support coal communities as they recover from the pandemic and to help them create new jobs and opportunities, including through the creation or expansion of a new industry sector. Specifically, EDA has dedicated $100 million of its Build Back Better Regional Challenge funds and $200 million of its Economic Adjustment Assistance funds to directly support coal communities.

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.