More than $29 million in funding will be made available through the Workforce Opportunity for Rural Communities (WORC) Initiative.
The Delta Regional Authority has partnered with the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) and the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Commission and Administration (ETA) to announce a second round of funding through the program which totals approximately $29.2 million.
These funds, awarded by the Employment and Training Commission and Administration, are aimed at governments and organizations that are implementing innovative strategies to meet workforce challenges and industry needs in Delta and Appalachian regions. According to a DRA news release, the ETA will focus on programs that are providing “career, training and support services” to those who are “currently underserved by other resources…”
These grants can range from $150,000 to $1.5 million.
The WORC Initiative grants are designed to diversify local, regional and state economies, as well as expanding partnerships.
“Within the DRA footprint live some of the most resilient and hard-working people in our great nation, and this is seen in the innovative, industry-driven investments brought to life through the WORC grant initiative,” DRA Federal Co-Chairman Chris Caldwellsaid in a statement. “DRA is providing an opportunity for rural communities to strengthen their workforce pipelines and continue upward economic mobility by giving access to these critical resources, and we are excited to see the growth of our region through more impactful projects from this next round of investments.”
A range of government institutions, agencies and organizations are eligible for WORC Initiative grants. These include state, county, city, township, or special district governments; state or local workforce development boards; regional organizations; independent school districts; public, state-controlled, or private institutions of higher education; Indian/Native American tribal governments (federally and other than federally recognized); Indian/Native American tribally designated organizations; public or Indian housing organizations; non-profit organizations; Hispanic-serving institutions; Tribally-controlled colleges and universities; and Historically Black Colleges and Universities.
READ MORE: Deadline for DRA Funding Pushed Back to June 28