Today, Thursday, September 19, 2013, Congressman Jason Smith announced the Department of Labor is awarding Three Rivers College in Poplar Bluff with a $2.75 million grant for the development and expansion of innovative training programs. The grants are part of the Trade Adjustment Assistance Community College and Career Training Grant Program, which promote skills development and employment opportunities in fields such as advanced manufacturing, transportation and health care, as well as science, technology, engineering and math careers through partnerships between training providers and local employers. Smith wrote a letter to the Labor Department to in favor of Three Rivers’ grant application.
“Three Rivers is a tremendous institution and I am honored to have helped them receive these vital federal funds. This grant will benefit the entire region for generations by giving families in the area the opportunity to train for highly skilled jobs,” said Smith. “I look forward to working with President Stevenson to see these funds make an impact on student at Three Rivers and on our local economy.”
Three Rivers College President Dr. Devin Stephenson thanked Smith for helping the college receive the federal grant.
“This grant opens up a wealth of opportunities, not only for Three Rivers, but for local residents and manufacturers,” said Stephenson. “Manufacturing plays an enormous part in keeping Southeast Missouri’s economy strong. With the new funding, we will provide in-depth training in the skills that local employers desperately require.”
“We’re particularly proud of the precision ag programs that we will offer under this grant,” said Stephenson. “We will have the first publicly available program of this kind in the region, and the only one that focuses on the entire breadth of precision agriculture technology. Three Rivers College appreciates the strong support from Congressman Smith and other members of the delegation for their strong support of our college and our mission to improve the quality of life for. The citizens if Southeast Missouri.”
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