Press Release

U.S. Commerce Department Announces $1.5 Million Investment to Expand Critical Workforce Training Opportunities in Idaho

Contact: Public Affairs Department, (202) 482-4085
Wednesday, August 14, 2013

WASHINGTON — U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker today announced that the Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $1.5 million grant to East Central Idaho Planning and Development Association, Inc., of Rexburg, Idaho, to establish the Teton County Professional Technical Education and Business Center. The investment is expected to help create 100 jobs and generate $850,000 in private investment, according to grantee estimates.

“One of the Obama administration’s top priorities is ensuring American workers have the skills they need to compete for good-paying jobs,” said Secretary Pritzker. “The Teton County Professional Technical Education and Business Center in Idaho, supported by this $1.5 million EDA grant, will help train workers and ensure local businesses have the skilled workforce they need to be successful.”

The EDA investment announced today will renovate a 20,000-square-foot, two-story building to bring the building up to code and repair the HVAC system and other utilities. The renovated building, located in Driggs, Idaho, will be used for professional technical education and will support light manufacturing and other industries.

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.