A county in east-central Utah is getting more than a $1 million in federal grant funding to develop an aviation-maintenance workforce. The area has been challenged by the declining use of coal in the energy sector.
The U.S. Department of Commerce's (DOC) Economic Development Administration (EDA) awarded a $1.4 million grant to Carbon County, Utah, the DOC announced July 11. The grant will "support the development of an aircraft maintenance technician training facility and hangar at the Carbon County Airport, preparing local residents for good-paying jobs," the news release states. The grant is being matched with $507,500 in local funding.
"The Economic Development Administration is pleased to partner with Carbon County and Utah State University Eastern in their place-based approach to bringing new opportunities to the region," Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Alejandra Castillo said in the news release. "This EDA grant to support the Aviation Campus Workforce Development program will not only address the local workforce needs of Southeastern Utah, but also build long-term economic resiliency as the region grapples with changes in the coal economy."
The project is predicted by grantee estimates to create 75 jobs and provide local residents with opportunities in the aviation maintenance field, according to the release. Utah's Republican Sen. Mitt Romney said in the news release that the grant will be good for the region.
"As southeastern Utah seeks to grow and diversify economically, it is critical to provide access to education and training resources that align with high-paying job and career opportunities for Utahns," Romney said in the release. "This EDA investment will allow Utah State University Eastern and Carbon County to expand the Aviation Campus Workforce Development Project, offering workforce training and academic programs to students and workers from all over the state — strengthening regional career options.”
DOC Sec. Gina Raimondo said the EDA funding will be instrumental in revitalizing the region's economy by helping residents develop the skills to get good-paying jobs in the "in-demand aviation maintenance field."
"President Biden’s Investing in America agenda provides communities – particularly those impacted by declines in coal jobs – with resources they need to diversify and grow their local economies," Raimondo said in the news release.
