WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) today announced that Athens County will receive more than $1.6 million for three projects through the Administration’s Partnerships for Opportunity and Workforce and Economic Revitalization (POWER) Initiative. The POWER Initiative is an inter-agency effort to strengthen communities impacted by the changing coal economy.

“As America’s energy sector changes, we need to ensure that Ohioans whose jobs rely on the coal industry have the training they need to pursue new opportunities,” said Brown. “These federal investments will help support the Athens County organizations working to promote economic development in the region and help workers secure jobs in emerging industries.”

The three grants awarded to Athens County are as follows:

  • Ohio University in Athens: The Economic Development Administration (EDA) awarded Ohio University $69,831 to determine any gaps between the current skill sets of former coal industry employees and the skill requirements across various emerging and existing high-growth industries. The results of the study will be used to guide workforce development and economic resiliency projects for local economic development organizations.

  • Hocking College in Nelsonville: The Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) awarded Hocking College $1,422,965 for the college’s Appalachia RISES (Revitalizing an Industry-ready Skilling Ecosystem for Sustainability) Initiative. The project will provide 306 workers across a 17-county region covering southeastern Ohio and central West Virginia with workforce training for current or anticipated industry needs in North Central Appalachia. These industries include advanced energy, automotive technology, petroleum technology, welding, and commercial driver's license (CDL).

  • Rural Action in The Plains: ARC awarded Rural Action $119,460 for the member-based development organization’s Appalachian Ohio Solar Supply-Chain Initiative. Rural Action will develop a strategic plan and feasibility study for building a stakeholder partnership to help manufacture new solar resources in Ohio. 

###