Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo announced a $3 million grant for the Western Wyoming Community College District in Rock Springs, Wyo.
The funding will aim to diversify the region’s economy through an expansion in the healthcare workforce. The Economic Development Administration project will renovate and build educational facilities and opportunities, according to a Jan. 5 Commerce Department news release.
“The Biden-Harris administration is committed to ensuring that our nation’s coal communities are provided with the resources they need to transition to new industries,” Raimondo said in the release. “This EDA investment will result in greater educational and workforce opportunities for local students while helping to meet industry demand for skilled healthcare workers in the region.”
The project will support the creation of a health science wing on Western Wyoming Community College’s main campus, according to the release. The EDA grant will be matched by more than $5 million in local and state funds. Grantee estimates reported that the project will help create 1,500 jobs.
“Economic Development Administration investments play a vital role in helping communities impacted by the downturn of the coal economy diversify and grow for the future,” Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Alejandra Y. Castillo said in the release. “The project will expand the Western Wyoming Community College’s capacity to meet critical demand for health sciences positions in its five-county service area.”
