Press Release

U.S. EDA Supports Competitive Workforce in Muhlenberg County, Kentucky

September 22, 2011
Contact: John Atwood, (202) 482-4085

WASHINGTON - The U.S. Commerce Department's Economic Development Administration (EDA) today announced a $503,750 grant to the Muhlenberg County Fiscal Court and Muhlenberg County Opportunity Center, Inc. of Greenville, Ken., to help build a facility to house the Muhlenberg Opportunity Center, which provides vocational evaluation and training to adults with disabilities in the Muhlenberg and Hopkins County areas. The project is expected to create 25 new jobs and generate $417,000 in private investment, according to grantee estimate.

"A strong, knowledgeable workforce is vital to advancing the region's competitiveness," said U.S. Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development John Fernandez. "This EDA grant will help prepare the citizens of Muhlenberg County for work in a competitive work environment."

The Opportunity Center is a private non-profit organization established over forty years ago to assist adults in overcoming challenges and preparing them for work in a competitive environment. This EDA grant will fund the construction of a production/manufacturing facility and offices that will support the needs of the Center and contract employers in Muhlenberg County to ensure that they can continue to provide long-term employment and job skills training to individuals unable to find competitive employmen.

About the U.S. Economic Development Administration (www.eda.gov):
The mission of the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) is to lead the federal economic development agenda by promoting competitiveness and preparing the nation's regions for growth and success in the worldwide economy. An agency within the U.S. Department of Commerce, EDA makes investments in economically distressed communities in order to create jobs for U.S. workers, promote American innovation and accelerate long-term sustainable economic growth.