U.S. Department of Commerce Invests $792,848 in American Rescue Plan Funds to Establish Aviation Maintenance Technician Training Program in Cedar Rapids, Iowa

WASHINGTON – Today, the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $792,848 grant to Kirkwood Community College, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, to renovate an existing aircraft hangar at the Cedar Rapids Airport into a learning facility for the Aviation Maintenance Technician program. This grant is funded by the American Rescue Plan.

The project will add classroom space, a workshop, and access to airport facilities, producing a highly trained workforce. This EDA grant will be matched with $198,212 in local funds and is expected to create 100 jobs, according to grantee estimates.

“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 EDA investment will create a pipeline of highly-skilled workers to fill jobs in the in-demand field of Aviation Maintenance.

This project was made possible by the regional planning efforts led by the East Central Iowa Council of Governments (ECICOG). EDA funds ECICOG 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.

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. Effective May 26, 2022, EDA has officially closed all of its American Rescue Plan programs for applications. The $3 billion program funding will be awarded on a rolling basis through September 30, 2022.

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.