U.S. Department of Commerce Invests $3 Million to Expand Workforce Training in Franklin County, Iowa

WASHINGTON, D.C.- Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo announced the Department's Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $3 million grant to North Iowa Area Community College in Mason City, Iowa, to expand workforce training in key industries.

This grant will construct a new continuing education training center in Franklin County to strengthen the regional workforce in the healthcare, construction, and manufacturing industries. This EDA investment will be matched with $753,296 in local funds and is expected to create or retain 105 jobs and generate $12 million in private investment, according to grantee estimates.

"To out-build, out-compete, and out-innovate the rest of the world, we need a strong, resilient workforce. That's why the Biden-Harris Administration has made investing in our workforce a cornerstone of the Investing in America Agenda," said Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo. "This EDA grant will expand access to training opportunities in Iowa to help strengthen the regional workforce in health care, construction, and manufacturing, and connect workers to good-paying jobs with local employers."

"The U.S. Economic Development Administration works closely with local communities to support place based economic growth," said Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Alejandra Y. Castillo. "This project will prepare high school students and community members for good-paying jobs in high-demand industries, supporting a strong regional economy."

This project was made possible by the regional planning efforts led by the North Iowa Area Council of Governments (NIACOG). EDA funds NIACOG 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.