Department of Labor awards $49M for job training in high-demand sectors for Appalachian, Lower Mississippi Delta, Northern Border regions’ workers

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor, in partnership with the Appalachian Regional Commission, Delta Regional Authority and the Northern Border Regional Commission, today announced $49 million in grant awards to prepare workers for good-quality, secure jobs in high-demand industries in their communities. These awards deliver on the Biden-Harris administration’s promise to bring economic opportunity back to places that are too often left out or behind.

The Workforce Opportunity for Rural Communities Initiative grants awarded today will support 35 projects across 18 states. Each grant ranges from $150,000 to $1.5 million. 

Nine of the WORC grants – totaling more than $12.5 million – will support communities in the Rural Partners Network, which the Biden-Harris administration launched in 2022 to connect rural communities with the resources needed to create jobs, build infrastructure and support long-term economic mobility.

“With this investment, we’re not just creating good-paying jobs in rural areas across the country, we’re breaking down barriers that have held back our communities for too long,” said Acting Secretary of Labor Julie Su. “By providing access to childcare, training and support services, we’re building an opportunity infrastructure to help people thrive where they call home. This is about more than just economic growth; it’s about ensuring that every American has the opportunity to succeed, no matter where they live.”

“Our Workforce Opportunities for Rural Communities Initiative grants will help Americans in the Appalachian, Delta, and Northern Border regions access good jobs and foster community stability and growth,” said Assistant Secretary for Employment and Training José Javier Rodríguez. “The grants announced today will help provide training and supportive services and launch strategic initiatives that pave the way for workers to thrive in meaningful work in our local communities.”

This sixth round of funding follows the department’s April 4, 2024, funding opportunity announcement. The grants will support projects that promote economic mobility, address historic inequities for marginalized individuals and regions, and enable workers to access opportunity in their communities in the Appalachia, Delta and Northern Border regions. 

“Connecting rural Appalachians with career training and employment support is crucial to both supporting industry growth—and ensuring our region is poised to compete in the global economy,” said Appalachian Regional Commission Federal Co-Chair Gayle Manchin. “ARC is proud of our ongoing partnership with the Department of Labor through the WORC Initiative, which gives workers in underserved communities the resources they need to boost their career opportunities and reignite rural economies.”

“Thanks to the funding provided by the Workforce Opportunity for Rural Communities Initiative, our residents will be able to attain industry-driven skills training for high-demand jobs, while helping to create pathways to high-quality careers and economic mobility within their communities and across the Delta region,” said Delta Regional Authority Federal Co-Chairman Dr. Corey Wiggins.

“Throughout its work, the NBRC prioritizes investments that create inclusive economies and broad-based economic opportunity. The WORC partnership with the Department of Labor is a critical part of the commission’s efforts to ensure that all residents of our region have access to resources that can improve their economic well-being.  This initiative recognizes the distinct needs of rural communities, and we are proud of the investments being made in the NBRC region this year,” said Northern Border Regional Commission Federal Co-Chair Chris Saunders. 

Overseen by the department’s Employment and Training Administration, WORC grants also align with the Biden-Harris administration’s Justice40 Initiative, which aims to ensure that 40 percent of the overall benefits of certain investments flow to disadvantaged communities marginalized, underserved and overburdened by pollution. 

The department and its partners have awarded nearly $215 million in funding for Workforce Opportunities for Rural Communities Initiative Grants since 2019. 

Recipients of grants serving the Appalachian Regional Commission area are as follows:

Recipients of grants serving the Delta Regional Authority area are as follows:

Recipients of grants serving the Northern Border Regional Commission area are as follows: