U.S. Department of Commerce Invests $1.6 Million in York Technical College to Support Industrial Technology Workforce Development
On Wednesday, September 7, 2023, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo announced the Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $1.6 million grant to York Technical College to support workforce development and job creation in the industrial sector.
This grant will support the procurement of equipment necessary to upgrade and expand training capacity in the industrial maintenance, machine tool technology, and welding departments. This EDA investment will be matched with $410,496 in local funds and is expected to create more than 70 jobs, and generate $5.5 million in private investment, according to grantee estimates.
“As part of the Biden Administration’s Investing in America agenda, we’re ensuring
that workers have the skills and resources they need to secure good-paying jobs in
the communities where they live,” said Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo. “This EDA investment will increase training opportunities for the people of Rock
Hill and create pathways to professional growth for workers, helping to meet regional
industry workforce needs.”
“You’d be hard pressed to find a stronger engine for workforce development in this region than York Technical College. This institution is laser focused on educating students to fill high-quality, high-paying jobs,” said Congressman Ralph Norman (SC-05). “This grant represents an investment not just in York Technical College, but in countless businesses throughout our area who rely on their graduates. I know the return on this investment will be significant, and I want to thank everyone at York Technical College for the outstanding work they’re doing.”
"I am immensely proud of the faculty and staff at York Technical College for working hard with our partners at the Catawba Council of Governments to earn this amazing $1.6M grant, empowering us to forge an even brighter future in workforce development, said York Technical College President Dr. Stacey Moore. "With this investment in our excellent institution, we will continue to spark innovation, ignite careers, and advance our community's prosperity with excellence in a number of high demand jobs."
"These grant funds will help York Tech provide training on the latest industrial technologies and ensure our students have the skills they need to fulfill the workforce needs of our industry partners," said York Technical College Executive Vice President of Academic and Student Affairs Dr. Jamie Cooper. "The success and growth of our industry partners and the economic development of the region means our students and their families have more access to jobs that provide livable wages and a better quality of life, which is integral to the college’s mission to transform lives and elevate the communities we serve."
This project was made possible by the regional planning efforts led by the Catawba Regional Council of Governments (COG). EDA funds COG 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.
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