U.S. Department of Commerce Invests $500,000 to Boost Advanced Manufacturing Training Opportunities and Jobs in North Central Indiana

WASHINGTON – Today, the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $500,000 grant to Ivy Tech Community College, Kokomo, Indiana, to help establish the Center of Excellence in Advanced Manufacturing.

This project will provide autonomous robots and other equipment needed to help the Center prepare trainees for in-demand positions at regional manufacturing firms. This EDA grant will be matched with $500,000 in local funds and is expected to create 250 jobs, retain 100 jobs, and generate $1 million in private investment, according to grantee estimates.

“Ivy Tech has a terrific track record of successful trainee placement and the Center of Excellence in Advanced Manufacturing will boost economic growth and good-paying jobs in the region,” said Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Alejandra Y. Castillo. “This EDA investment will ensure that manufacturers have the skilled talent they need and that good-paying jobs are available for all residents in North Central Indiana for decades to come.”

“With the record-breaking investments in Indiana reaching $22 billion in committed capital investment in 2022, Ivy Tech’s Center of Excellence in Advanced Manufacturing is a welcome addition as we look for more robust training opportunities to strengthen our talent pipeline,” said Governor Eric J. Holcomb. “The one-of-a-kind program will offer Hoosiers cutting-edge training and skills to reach a better and brighter future.”

This project is funded under the Assistance to Coal Communities (ACC) initiative, through which EDA awards funds on a competitive basis to assist communities severely impacted by the declining use of coal. ACC projects support economic diversification, job creation, capital investment, workforce development, and re-employment opportunities.

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.