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U.S. EDA Funds Analysis of Southeast North Carolina Industry Clusters

September 3, 2010
Contact: John Atwood, (202) 482-4085

WASHINGTON - The U.S. Commerce Department's Economic Development Administration (EDA) today announced a $100,000 grant to the Southeastern North Carolina Regional Economic Development Commission of Elizabethtown, N.C., to support a workforce needs analysis and strategic plan focused on existing and developing industry clusters in North Carolina's Southeast region.

"A strong workforce, steeped in critical skills is essential to attracting new and innovative businesses," said U.S. Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development John Fernandez. "This EDA grant will assist southeast North Carolina in developing plans and processes to strengthen the workforce to support the region's clusters."

"This investment will ultimately result in a stronger workforce development system and better, more marketable workforce that will be useful for helping the Southeast Partnership market the region and its workforce to firms for expansion and growth," said Steve Yost, Director of the Southeastern North Carolina Regional Economic Development Commission.

Administration funding will support the development of a workforce needs assessment and strategic plan focused on existing and developing clusters in North Carolina's Southeast region. The project will result in a stronger workforce development system and better, more marketable workforce to attract new employment opportunities to the region.

About the U.S. Economic Development Administration (www.eda.gov): This year, the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) marks 45 years of public service, with a mission of leading the federal economic development agenda by promoting competitiveness and preparing American regions for growth and success in the worldwide economy. EDA is an agency within the U.S. Department of Commerce that partners with distressed communities throughout the United States to foster job creation, collaboration and innovation.