U.S. Department of Commerce Invests $1.4 Million to Expand Job Training Programs for Cherokee Nation Tribal Members in Oklahoma

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo announced the Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $1.4 million grant to the Cherokee Nation in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, to provide expanded skilled employment training services to Tribal members.

This grant will expand the Tribe’s building trade, lineman, and fiber technician training programs and will help Tribal members in creating their own businesses in these fields. This EDA investment is expected to create 72 jobs, according to grantee estimates.

“President Biden’s Investing in America agenda is training workers with the skills needed to secure good-paying jobs,” said Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo. “This EDA award to the Cherokee Nation will grow the Tribe’s in-house training programs and support small business growth, attracting broadband infrastructure investments, and quality industries to the region.”

“The Economic Development Administration is pleased to support the Cherokee Nation as it seeks to diversify the region’s economy, further underscoring equity as EDA’s top funding priority,” said Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Alejandra Y. Castillo. “This project will provide skilled employment and training services to traditionally underserved populations of the Cherokee Nation, helping to grow the Tribal and regional economy.”

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 invests in communities and supports regional collaboration in order to create jobs for U.S. workers, promote American innovation, and accelerate long-term sustainable economic growth.