WASHINGTON -U.S. Senator Sam Brownback today applauded Fort Scott and Garden City Community Colleges, recipients of two Labor Department grants to be used to train construction laborers and trades people.

"I am very pleased the Department of Labor recognizes the merits of the proposals offered by Garden City Community College and Fort Scott Community College," said Brownback. "The grants will help to educate community residents and will provide a more skilled workforce. This is good for the education system, and it also promotes Kansas as a state that is open for economic growth. Congratulations to these two great schools."

While 400 applicants applied to the Labor Department's Community Based Job Training Grant Competition, only 69 applicants were awarded grants. Garden City Community College won a $1,999,939 grant for training construction workers to complete the Holcomb generating plant expansion. Fort Scott Community College won a $1,994,474 grant to train construction workers. -30-