Rural Development’s $1 million investment will assist in purchase of vital teaching aides
WENTWORTH, North Carolina—September 26, 2024 - Members of the USDA Rural Development Team participated in a ribbon cutting ceremony at Rockingham Community College’s new Workforce Development and Industrial Technologies Building today.
Rural Development invested $1 million through a USDA Community Facilities Grant to assist the colleges purchase of teaching equipment for the new facility.
Apparatus purchased include:
- Lathes with simulators
- Bandsaws
- Grinders
- Mills
- Work benches
“Trades teachers need access to the most up-to-date equipment to train their students to adequately prepare them for careers,” said Rural Development Area Director Kelley Woodley. “I am excited about this investment Rural Development has made into the future of the students at Rockingham Community College.”
This equipment will allow Rockingham Community College to offer short-term and degree workforce programs for entry-level employment in manufacturing facilities.
USDA’s Community Facilities program provides affordable funding to develop essential community facilities in rural areas. An essential community facility is defined as a facility that provides an essential service to the local community for the orderly development of the community in a primarily rural area, and does not include private, commercial or business undertakings.
USDA Rural Development provides loans and grants to help expand economic opportunities, create jobs and improve the quality of life for millions of Americans in rural areas. This assistance supports infrastructure improvements; business development; housing; community facilities such as schools, public safety and health care; and high-speed internet access in rural, tribal and high-poverty areas. Visit the Rural Data Gateway to learn how and where these investments are impacting rural America. To subscribe to USDA Rural Development updates, visit the GovDelivery Subscriber Page.
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