LEWISTON, Idaho – U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross announced on Monday that the Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $1.52 million grant to Lewis-Clark State College to provide career and technical education equipment to support workforce development.
“The President and the Department of Commerce are committed to ensuring that American communities have tools necessary to meet the demand for a skilled workforce,” said Ross. “This Lewis-Clark State College program will help provide critical training to ensure local employers have the workforce they need to succeed.”
It is estimated that the project will create 391 jobs, retain 423 jobs, and generate $14.7 million in private investment.
“This is welcome help for our efforts to improve and expand access to career-technical education and training in Idaho,” said Governor C. L. “Butch” Otter. “Lewis-Clark State College is an important part of our network of Workforce Training Centers, and this grant will enable us to create new and better opportunities there for Idaho workers to develop the skills that Idaho employers need.”
“Career and technical education offers a pathway for successful careers,” said Senator Mike Crapo. “Lewis-Clark College is training the next generation of trade school graduates through its partnership with Lewiston High School, offering opportunities for many of Idaho’s young women and men to build their careers at home in Idaho. Congratulations to Lewis-Clark State College for receiving this grant.”
The grant will provide for career and educational equipment at Lewis-Clark State College’s new CTE center in the Lewiston Orchards. As stated in the EDA’s press release, the new equipment and training will help to further diversify the region’s economy from strictly timber and agriculture to the manufacturing and automotive industries.
“This award is incredibly important to Lewis-Clark State College, and our ongoing efforts to ensure not only the realization of the Career & Technical Education center, but to provide cutting-edge career technical education opportunities, training, and workforce skill development,” said LCSC President Cynthia Pemberton. “The grant will help us purchase state-of-the-art equipment to support high quality teaching and learning.”
The grant requires a commitment from LCSC to match with institutional funds. For information on how to support workforce training efforts at Lewis-Clark State College visit www.lcsc.edu/giving.
An agency within the U.S. Department of Commerce, the EDA makes investments in communities in order to create jobs for U.S. workers, promote American innovation, and accelerate long-term sustainable economic growth. To learn more about the EDA visit www.eda.gov.