U.S. Department of Commerce Invests $1.2 Million in CARES Act Recovery Assistance to Support Workforce Development in Guam

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina M. Raimondo announced that the Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $1.2 million CARES Act Recovery Assistance grant to Guam Community College (GCC), Barrigada, Guam, to support workforce development programs.

This project will support renovations and improvements to an existing facility serving as the Guam Workforce Development Center. This EDA grant will be matched with $1.2 million in local funds and is expected to create 1,800 jobs, retain 200 jobs, according to grantee estimates.

“The Biden Administration is committed to creating new opportunities for workers throughout the United States,” said Secretary of Commerce Gina M. Raimondo. “This EDA investment will support Guam Community College as it expands and improves workforce development programs to ensure residents have the skills they need to compete for good-paying jobs.”

“The Economic Development Administration plays an important role in supporting community-led economic development strategies designed to boost coronavirus recovery and response efforts,” said Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Alejandra Y. Castillo. “This project will provide the critical infrastructure needed to assist Guam Community College in meeting the needs of its vocational training programs and Guam’s businesses and workforce.”

“We are happy to see our Congressional work on the CARES ACT continue to yield results for the people of Guam, and are particularly pleased that more support for workforce development is on the way at a time when our island needs as much support as it can get in this area,” said Congressman Michael San Nicolas.

This project is funded under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act (Public Law 116-136), which provided EDA with $1.5 billion for economic assistance programs to help communities prevent, prepare for, and respond to coronavirus. EDA CARES Act Recovery Assistance, which is being administered under the authority of the bureau’s flexible Economic Adjustment Assistance (EAA) program, provides a wide range of financial assistance to eligible communities and regions as they respond to and recover from the impacts of the coronavirus pandemic.

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.