A grant from the state will assist Stephens County and three neighboring counties in northeast Georgia with work force development.
Stephens County Development Authority Executive Director Tim Martin said last week that state officials had informed him that a $350,000 work force development grant was awarded in response to a joint application submitted by Stephens, Franklin, Habersham and Hart counties.
The grant, Martin said, is designed to help communities prepare people to work in the manufacturing sector.
Martin said that would happen in several ways.
“It will identify needs, and it will identify solutions,” he said. “Today’s work force is rapidly evolving. There are techniques, skills and training that all need to take place to stay current, and this will allow us to follow up on those highest priorities and make them happen.”
The program will combine the efforts of cities, counties, public school systems and industries in the four counties.
Martin called it a great opportunity for the region.
“We are quite excited about the confidence both Gov. Perdue and Governor-elect Deal have placed in us,” he added. “We are excited that we can work with our existing industries, our local school systems, and colleges to make sure our work force is what it needs to be to make our community successful.”
The counties have 18 months to use the grant.
Anderson Independent
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