West Virginia University at Parkersburg (WVUP) is set to receive a substantial $1.3 million grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce to enhance advanced manufacturing workforce training in the region. This funding, announced by U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo, will be dedicated to developing the WVUP Advanced Manufacturing Training Facility, with an additional $333,837 in local funds matching the grant.
The grant is part of a broader effort by the Biden administration to strengthen America's workforce by providing opportunities and skills needed for high-quality, well-paying jobs in the manufacturing sector. WVUP President Torie Jackson highlighted that the grant will be used to purchase equipment to expand technical degree offerings at the Jackson County Center in Ripley. The center is being transformed into an Applied Technical Center, allowing the college to offer advanced manufacturing technology degrees alongside specific programs required by industry partners like Constellium.
The WVUP Board of Governors has already approved a $450,000 renovation of the facility, which is currently underway. This renovation, combined with the grant, brings the total investment in the project to over $2 million. This initiative aims to create a skilled workforce to meet the demands of the Jackson County area.
Support from U.S. senators and local legislators has been pivotal in securing this grant. U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin emphasized the importance of the EDA's role in fostering economic growth and revitalizing the manufacturing industry in West Virginia. He expressed enthusiasm for the $1.3 million award, which will significantly boost manufacturing workforce development throughout the Mid-Ohio Valley. As a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Manchin pledged to continue working with the EDA to secure resources that prepare West Virginians for quality jobs and ensure the state's leadership in innovation.
U.S. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito also voiced her support, highlighting her efforts as the Ranking Member of the Senate Environmental and Public Works Committee to back West Virginia communities through the EDA. She noted that the EDA's support is crucial for the state's economic growth and praised the funding's direct impact on WVU Parkersburg's manufacturing workforce training programs.
This project is funded under the Assistance to Coal Communities (ACC) initiative, which provides competitive grants to communities severely impacted by the decline of the coal industry. The initiative supports economic diversification, job creation, capital investment, workforce development, and re-employment opportunities, ensuring that regions affected by the downturn in coal use can adapt and thrive in new industries.