U.S. Department of Commerce Invests $3.6 Million in American Rescue Plan Funds to Support Workforce Training and Business Development in Southwest Ohio

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina M. Raimondo announced that the Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $3.6 million grant to Central State University, Wilberforce, Ohio, to establish a Workforce & Business Development Center that will serve underserved communities in Clark, Greene, and Montgomery counties. This grant is funded by the American Rescue Plan.

This investment will support the historically black land-grant university’s efforts to provide training and entrepreneurship skills development in the form of workshops and undergraduate programs in the areas of advanced materials, advanced manufacturing, information technology and advanced data management. The EDA investment will be matched with $896,848 in local funds and is expected to create 300 jobs and generate $1 million in private investment.

“President Biden’s American Rescue Plan helps communities tackle the workforce shortages that were exacerbated by the coronavirus pandemic,” said Secretary of Commerce Gina M. Raimondo. “This EDA investment in Central State University promotes small businesses sustainability, employment opportunities, and reaffirms the Administration’s commitment to supporting historically Black colleges and universities throughout the country.”

“The Economic Development Administration provides direct support to communities across the country that were hit hard by the pandemic,” said Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Alejandra Y. Castillo. “This EDA investment at Central State University will provide equitable skills training in emerging industries to boost employment opportunities throughout Southwest Ohio and build regional economic resiliency for decades to come.”

“Ohio has a proud history of leading the country in manufacturing innovation. Thanks to the American Rescue Plan, this investment at Central State will help create hundreds of jobs and prepare the workers Ohio needs to compete,” said Senator Sherrod Brown. “Central State is one of Ohio’s premier universities and I’m glad to see its strength is being recognized.”

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.

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.