Wednesday, December 13, 2006

University of Arkansas Community College of Batesville (UACCB) to get $2 Million Grant

Today the University of Arkansas Community College of Batesville (UACCB) has been awarded a $1,992,274 competitive grant from the U.S. Department of Labor. The funding is part of the Community-Based Job Training Grants program designed to help community colleges equip workers with the skills needed by growing local industries.

UACCB and its partners will use the grant to address existing nursing and allied health labor shortages in North Central Arkansas. As more and more Baby Boomers continue to settle in the popular Ozark Foothills upon retirement, the need for a greater number of health care professionals and medical services will only increase.

The UACCB partnership is one of 72 recipients out of 429 applicants nationwide. The grant will be utilized in training activities in 22 counties in North Central Arkansas.

These funds will help the University of Arkansas at Batesville establish an important partnership with the local business community that will provide high-skilled jobs for its graduates and improve the quality of health care for local residents. This is one of the best investments we can make in our community. I commend the community college for all its work to secure these funds and promise to help in any way I can to make sure this program continues to grow.