$250,000 DOL Grant to Help Texas' Upper Rio Grande Economy
The U.S. Department of Labor yesterday announced a $250,000 Regional Innovation Grant to help Texas' Upper Rio Grande region develop strategies to address the impact of manufacturing industry layoffs. "Like other regions, the Upper Rio Grande is experiencing a transition in its economic base," said Brent R. Orrell, acting assistant secretary for Employment and Training. "The $250,000 this grant provides will supplement the development of strategies that address the shift from manufacturing and agricultural industries to a focus on other economic sectors in the region."
The grant, awarded to the Upper Rio Grande Workforce Investment Board, will lead to a regional economic development plan to support sustainable, innovation-based strategies in west Texas. The proposed project also will utilize resources from public and private sector programs to advance the region's plan.
Partners in the project include the Regional Center for Innovation and Commercialization, the Center for Entrepreneurial Development, the Hispanic Entrepreneurial Center, the University of Texas-El Paso, El Paso Community College, Western Technical College, and Sul Ross State University's School of Business. The region targeted for this project includes the counties of Brewster, Culberson, El Paso, Hudspeth, Jeff Davis, and Presidio. For more information, visit www.doleta.gov/NEG.