Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina M. Raimondo announced that the Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $4.2 million grant to John A. Logan College, Carterville, Illinois, to construct the John A. Logan College Career and Technical Center at the college’s campus in Southern Illinois.
This investment will allow John A. Logan College to increase its capacity to train and certify students for jobs in in-demand industries in the region, including advanced manufacturing. The EDA investment will be matched with $4.2 million in local funds and is expected to create 200 jobs, retain 25 jobs and generate $2.7 million in private investment, according to grantee estimates.
“President Biden is committed to building a strong workforce that provides good-paying jobs and serves the needs of employers across the country,” said Secretary of Commerce Gina M. Raimondo. “This EDA investment in the John A. Logan College Career and Technical Center will strengthen southern Illinois’ workforce and businesses to boost U.S. global competitiveness.”
“The Economic Development Administration plays an important role in supporting locally-developed strategies designed to create economic opportunity,” said Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Alejandra Y. Castillo. “This project at John A. Logan College in Illinois will bolster local workforce development opportunities, including in the critical advanced manufacturing sector, that will build a stronger and more resilient regional economy.”
“In Illinois, we know that the best way to grow our economy is to invest in our people,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “It’s why, from Rockford to Bloomington to Metro East, we’ve invested in training academies for cutting edge industries like electric vehicle manufacturing and aviation. And now, thanks to the Biden Administration’s leadership, we are increasing our capacity to train the next generation of workers with the construction of the John A. Logan College Career and Technical Center. I am grateful for the U.S. Department of Commerce’s investment, and look forward to my continued partnership with Secretary Raimondo to support Illinois workers and businesses in every corner of our state.”
“As we build back from the devastation of the ongoing pandemic, I’m pleased to see the federal government significantly investing in Illinoisans and our local economy,” said Senator Dick Durbin. “The creation of the John A. Logan College Career and Technical Institute will open up new opportunities for those seeking trade skills training and fortify Southern Illinois’ regional economy.”
“This support for workforce development and job training will help provide even more hardworking Southern Illinoisans at John A. Logan College with the tools they need to help secure a good-paying job to support themselves and their families,” said Senator Tammy Duckworth. “I’ll continue working with Senator Durbin to secure resources like this to strengthen local communities.”
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.