U.S. Department of Commerce Invests $1 Million to Support Building Trades Workforce Development in Poplar Bluff, Missouri

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo announced the Department's Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $1 million grant to Three Rivers College in Poplar Bluff, Missouri, to support building trades workforce development in the region.

This grant will provide equipment for the new Bootheel Technical Training Center to support hands-on workforce training in electrical, HVAC, manufacturing, and welding trades. This EDA investment will be matched with $250,000 in local funds.

"The Biden-Harris Administration's Investing in America agenda is focused on providing all communities with the opportunities and resources they need to thrive in today's economy, while preparing them for success in the future," said Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo."This EDA investment will support workforce development programs that will diversify Missouri's economy by strengthening the state's building trades, building economic resilience for decades to come."

"The U.S. Economic Development Administration works closely with local communities to support place-based economic development," said Deputy Assistant Secretary for Policy and External Affairs, performing the non-exclusive functions and duties of the Assistant Secretary for Economic Development Cristina Killingsworth. "This project will provide equipment to train students in critical building trades, producing a highly skilled workforce and diversifying the regional economy."

This project was made possible by the regional planning efforts led by the Bootheel Regional Planning and Economic Development Commission (BRPC). EDA funds BRPC 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.