November 2021 Volume 3

INDUSTRY NEWS

Manufacturing Month: Deputy Secretary Don Graves Stresses Administration’s Commitment to Equitable Workforce Training in Ohio: Announces $3.6 Million Grant for Workforce Development Facility in Cleveland

In honor of Manufacturing Month, U.S. Deputy Secretary of Commerce Don Graves traveled to Cincinnati and Cleveland, Ohio from October 6-8, where he addressed the Administration’s commitment to closing the labor gap and putting Americans back to work in the wake of the pandemic. While there, Deputy Secretary Graves announced a $3.6 million Economic Development Administration (EDA) grant to establish an adult technical training and workforce development facility in Cleveland. This grant reflects the Biden Administration’s commitment to building a skilled workforce that supports our nation’s manufacturing sector. “President’s Build Back Better agenda is all about investing in our economy and our workforce,” said Deputy Secretary Graves. “This EDA investment to the Workroom Program Alliance and the ClevelandMunicipal School District will establish a manufacturing workforce training center that will play a critical role in creating job opportunities and boosting the regional economy.” Deputy Secretary Graves’ first stop was in Cincinnati, where he toured Nehemiah Manufacturing Company, and touted EDA’s Good Jobs Challenge, which supports individuals with past criminal records, including justice-impacted and reentry participants. The Good Jobs Challenge is part of $3 billion in funding to EDA provided by the American Rescue Act to help Americans get back to work by building and strengthening systems and partnerships that bring together employers who have hiring needs with other key entities to train workers with in-demand skills that lead to good- paying jobs. “EDA’s number one investment priority is equity, and this program is aimed at supporting those who have been hardest hit by the pandemic – including women and people of color,” said Graves. “As Secretary Raimondo says, if people take the risk of getting trained in a new career, they deserve assurances that it’ll lead to a good job.”

Deputy Secretary Graves announces Economic Development Administration (EDA) grant to establish an adult technical training andworkforce development facility in Cleveland. Photo Credit: U.S. Department of Commerce

FIA MAGAZINE | NOVEMBER 2021 58