July 27, 2022

EDA: $2 Million Invested to Bolster Healthcare Training at the University of Arkansas Community College at Morrilton

Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina M. Raimondo announced that the Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $2 million grant to the University of Arkansas Community College at Morrilton (UACCM), Morrilton, Arkansas, to build a new Allied Health and Science Center.

This project will consolidate the school’s health professional training programs into one building and provide increased capacity to expand its programs. This EDA investment will be matched with $1.1 million in local funds.

“The Biden-Harris Administration is dedicated to increasing economic opportunities for communities across the country,” said Secretary of Commerce Gina M. Raimondo. “This EDA investment in UACCM will facilitate the expansion of its healthcare training programs, creating additional workforce training pipelines of highly-skilled workers to fill jobs across the region.”

“The Economic Development Administration is pleased to support UACCM as they seek to diversify the region’s economy,” said Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Alejandra Y. Castillo. “This project will increase capacity for UACCM to train future healthcare workers, preparing students for highly-paid healthcare positions.”

“This $2 million grant will allow the Community College at Morrilton to expand opportunities so that more students than ever can pursue a career in the healthcare profession,” said Governor Asa Hutchinson. “The healthcare industry and all Arkansans will benefit from the grant, which strengthens the school’s mission to train more healthcare professionals.”

This project was made possible by the regional planning efforts led by the West Central Arkansas Planning and Development District (WCAPDD). EDA funds WCAPDD 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.

About the U.S. Economic Development Administration (www.eda.gov)
The mission of the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) is to lead the federal economic development agenda by promoting competitiveness and preparing the nation’s regions for growth and success in the worldwide economy. An agency within the U.S. Department of Commerce, EDA invests in communities and supports regional collaboration in order to create jobs for U.S. workers, promote American innovation, and accelerate long-term sustainable economic growth.

This post was originally published here.