labor lawAdivision of labor law center

In terms of economy, some regions of the United States are not doing as well as the rest of the country. The government is trying to bring these areas at par with the regions that are better off. For this purpose, a project by the name of Workforce Innovation in Regional Economic Development, or WIRED, has been started. WIRED helps areas with struggling economies improve, by providing training to the workers.           

In a recent speech, Assistant U.S. Secretary of Labor for Employment and Training Emily DeRocco said, “Strong regional economies that are built on maximizing talent and innovation will be crucial to the nation’s success in the global economy.” This principle is the driving force behind WIRED.

WIRED plans to spend up to 5 million dollars on Arkansas Unemployment Grant. Arkansas is one of the regions that are not doing too well economically, and have a high rate of Unemployment. Initially, Arkansas will be given a gift of 500,000 dollars, to be spent on training of workers. The rest will be given them after a regional implementation plan has been made.

When announcing this grant for Arkansas, U. S. Secretary of Labor Elaine Chao said, “Investing in area workforces through this collaborative approach will boost entire regions’ economic vitality. This regional economic development strategy transcends political boundaries to better leverage a region’s assets to help workers succeed in the 21st century worldwide economy.”

WIRED is focusing on economically under-developed regions in Puerto Rico, Northern Alabama, Northern Indiana, the Arkansas Valley Tri-State Area, Southeastern Michigan, Appalachian Ohio, the Rio Grande Valley in Texas Southern Tennessee, Southwestern Connecticut, Southwestern Arkansas, Southeastern Wisconsin, the Wasatch Range in Utah, Northern California and the Arkansas/Mississippi Delta.

In the first phase of WIRED, $195 million has been distributed in thirteen regions throughout America. In the second phase, another $65 million will be distributed, based on a competition involving state governors. 

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