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Arizona Unemployment Grant

May 29th, 2007 Posted by Amelia

“The Third Generation of WIRED is designed to position local Workforce Investment Boards as leaders of a strategic regional partnership,” said Emily Stover DeRocco, Assistant Secretary of Labor for Employment and Training. She added “Through talent development strategies and integration with regional economic development, this partnership can drive economic transformation in regions across the country and improve employment and advancement opportunities for workers.”

The Assistant Secretary of Labor for Employment and Training was speaking in the light of a recently announced third generation of highly competitive WIRED grants, by the Dept. of Labor.

An Arizona employment grant would be good news for workers who live in areas of traditional high unemployment. WIRED, or the Workforce Innovation in Regional Economic Development Initiative, is aimed at keeping job skills up to date, and competitive within an increasingly global economy and job market. Competition for these grants is expected to be keen, and letters have been sent out by Secretary Chao outlining procedures for the grant proposals.

Some of the 26 regions that have benefited from previous WIRED grants include northern California, the Delaware Valley, the Mississippi/Arkansas Delta area, northern Alabama and northern Indiana. Up to $260 million has been invested throughout the country, facilitating cooperation between 10 federal agencies. This has benefited areas with the creation of high skill and high employment opportunities.

For the current (Third) generation of WIRED grants, individual state governors are required to approve applications, and can submit up to 2 proposals of $5 million maximum each. Additionally, competitive regions must be able to show additional sources of regional, private or state funding to complement the investment from the Department of Labor.

Speaking after the announcement of the second generation of WIRED grants was announced Secretary of Labor, Elaine Chao said “Investing in area workforces through this collaborative approach will boost entire regions’ economic vitality.”