WASHINGTON- Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo announced the Department's Economic Development Administration (EDA) is investing $6.2 million in the state of Kansas to support forestry and construction industry workforce development.

The EDA investments announced today are:

• Kansas State University in Manhattan will receive a $3.2 million grant to bolster natural resource and wildfire risk management workforce development through construction of a modernized training facility. This EDA investment will be matched with $815,794 in local funds.

• Fort Hays State University - North Central Kansas Tech in Beloit will receive a $3 million grant to support heavy machinery workforce development through the procurement of related equipment.This EDA investment will be matched with $750,698 in local funds.

"The Biden-Harris Administration's Investing in America agenda is growing jobs, building a sustainable workforce, and creating opportunities for workers across the country," said Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo. "These EDA investments in Manhattan and Beloit will provide expanded forestry and construction workforce training programs so local workers get the skills they need for in-demand jobs, and the local economy grows."

"The Economic Development Administration works closely with communities to help lead local economic development in Kansas and across the country," said Acting Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Cristina Killingsworth. "These projects will create workforce development pathways for workers in wildfire risk management and heavy machinery operation, supporting industry growth and putting Kansans to work in good jobs."

"Federal investments are essential for enhancing economic and workforce opportunities in Kansas," said Governor Laura Kelly. "These projects in Manhattan and Beloit will foster regional collaboration to drive innovation and job training, generating sustainable economic growth."

The Kansas State University project was made possible by the regional planning efforts led by the Northwest Kansas Planning and Development Commission (NWKPDC). The Fort Hays State University - North Central Kansas Tech project was also made possible by NWKPDC as well as the North Central Regional Planning Commission (NCRPC) and Great Plains Development, Inc. (GPDI). EDA funds NWKPDC, NCRPC and GPDI 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.

These projects are funded under the Disaster Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2023, which provided EDA with $483 million in additional Economic Adjustment Assistance (EAA) Program funds for disaster relief and recovery for areas that received a major disaster declaration under the Robert T. Stafford Act as a result of Hurricanes Ian and Fiona, wildfires, flooding, and other natural disasters occurring in calendar years 2021 and 2022. Please visit EDA's Disaster Supplemental webpage for more information.

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.

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