Clinton Community College is receiving a $787,620 grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) to purchase equipment to support its welding and computer numerical control (CNC) career technologies programs.
“We are very excited to be awarded this grant from the EDA, and I am pleased we are able to continue to attract resources to our community,” said Clinton Community College President Brian Kelly.
The grant will expand and enhance the programs offered at Eastern Iowa Community College’s Regional Career Academy campuses in Clinton and Maquoketa. In Clinton, a new building that will house the academy programs is now under construction. Meanwhile, in Maquoketa plans are in place to renovate and add new equipment to the existing labs.
Career Academies are partnerships with area high schools that provide students the opportunity to receive hands-on career training and college credits while still in high school. The new equipment/labs will also serve adults in the community interested in pursuing these high-demand fields.
“Our regional career academies will enable more students and community members to receive the training they need to compete in our current economy. With a shared commitment to access and opportunity, we are also enabling our students to gain skills and save money by completing college courses in high school,” said Mr. Kelly.
The EDA investment will be matched with $196,905 in local funds as well.
“The Biden Administration is committed to creating new opportunities for workforce development across the country,” Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Alejandra Y. Castillo said in a news release.
The project was made possible by the regional planning efforts led by the East Central Intergovernmental Association (ECIA). EDA funds ECIA 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.
