WASHINGTON – The U.S Department of Labor today announced a $250,000 Regional Innovation Grant to advance economic and talent development strategies in west central Pennsylvania and eastern Ohio.

“Pennsylvania and Ohio are working together to invest in the region’s workforce talent, and to increase the economic and employment opportunities available to their businesses and workers,” said Douglas F. Small, deputy assistant secretary of labor for employment and training.  “Today’s $250,000 Regional Innovation Grant will help this region plan and implement strategies that will promote economic growth built on a highly skilled workforce.”

The region identified for this project includes the Pennsylvania counties of Lawrence and Mercer and the Ohio counties of Mahoning, Columbiana and Trumbull.  Goals of the project include the development of systems and the coordination of activities to enable an integrated and flexible response to workers impacted by major dislocations and to link educational opportunities with economic development opportunities in the region.

Activities to be conducted through the grant, awarded to Pennsylvania’s West Central Job Partnership, include the development of a regional system to provide Rapid Response services to dislocated workers, establishment of coordinated industry-specific business outreach, and the alignment of educational institutions and training programs to meet the needs of area employers.

Regional Innovation Grants are drawn from National Emergency Grant funds to assist state workforce agencies and local workforce investment boards, as well as their key partners, in the design and development of comprehensive and strategic regional plans focused on talent development that is aligned with the demands of the 21st century economy.

National Emergency Grants are part of the secretary of labor’s discretionary fund and are awarded based on a state’s ability to meet specific guidelines. For more information, please visit www.doleta.gov/NEG.