Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo announced a $1.5 million grant to a college in Mount Vernon, Ga. The grant supports healthcare workforce development and job creation, and it will fund a new nursing education facility, according to an Aug. 15 news release.
“As part of the Biden administration’s Investing in America agenda, we’re ensuring that workers have the skills and resources they need to secure good-paying jobs in the communities where they live,” Raimondo said in the release. “This EDA investment will increase training opportunities in southern Georgia and create pathways to professional growth in the healthcare sector, helping to meet regional industry workforce needs.”
The grant aims to bolster the nursing workforce program at Brewton-Parker College, alleviating healthcare labor shortages in southern Georgia. According to the release, the locality will match the investment with $1 million. Furthermore, it is expected to stimulate $1.4 million in private investment.
“Senator Warnock and I are pleased to help deliver this investment in Georgia’s health care workforce to ensure Mount Vernon, Montgomery County and Central Georgia’s residents can get great health care,” Sen. Jon Ossoff, D-Ga., said in the release.
“The Economic Development Administration is pleased to provide targeted, place-based grants designed to support local workforce development programs," Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Alejandra Y. Castillo said in the release. "This EDA grant to support the nursing workforce development program will address the local labor needs of southern Georgia while building long-term economic resilience in the region.”
“Nurses play a critical role in keeping us healthy and keeping our health care system afloat,” Sen. Raphael Warnock, D-Ga., said in the release. “I’m proud to help secure this critical funding to address the nursing shortage in southeast Georgia. This funding is part of my broader efforts to improve health care access for all Georgians, especially Georgians in rural parts of the state. I’ll continue to support workforce development for medical professionals, fight for federal resources for rural hospitals and work to expand Medicaid.”
