By SHAWN STREET
Ninth District Congressman Morgan Griffith has announced that Southwest Virginia Community College and the University of Virginia’s College at Wise have been awarded grants from the Appalachian Regional Commission.
SWCC has been awarded a grant worth $1,818,822. The funding will support the expansion of career and technical education programs with a focus in advanced manufacturing and trade-based skilled technician training.
“Local industries in Southwest Virginia rely on experienced, trained and skilled individuals,” Griffith said. “This ARC grant for more than $1.8 million helps Southwest Virginia Community College expand education programs for students to access meaningful employment opportunities in the region.”
SWCC will engage and collaborate with regional partners and organizations, including the Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority and the Southwest Virginia Workforce Development Board.
UVA-Wise was awarded a grant worth $100,000. The funds will support the drafting of a strategic planning initiative to develop an entrepreneurial ecosystem in the region.
The project is expected to help expand entrepreneurial resources, address persistent gaps in the entrepreneurial ecosystem and prepare the region for economic revitalization.
“Southwest Virginia business development is constrained by a lack of sufficient access to entrepreneurs and investors,” Griffith said. “This ARC grant $100,000 helps the UVA College at Wise strategize a modeled plan that makes the region fertile ground for entrepreneurs and investors.”
According to ARC, both grants are supported by the Partnerships for Opportunity and Workforce and Economic Revitalization initiative.
