WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $250,000 Regional Innovation Grant to Missouri to establish talent development strategies in the Quad States region, which includes southwest Missouri, northwest Arkansas, southeast Kansas and northeast Oklahoma.

“The project this $250,000 grant supports will help the Quad States region create talent development strategies that incorporate the assets of these states and address the needs of emerging industries,” said Deputy Assistant Secretary for Employment and Training Douglas F. Small.

The project will begin with the establishment of the Quad States Regional Transformation leadership group, which will jointly develop strategies that position the area as a regional transportation and logistics hub.  The project will encompass approximately 40 counties in the four-state region.

The grant, awarded to the Workforce Investment Board of the Southwest Region Inc., will enable the region to map its assets and conduct a Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats (SWOT) analysis.  Using the SWOT analysis and other studies, the region will link local governments, educators, business associations and economic development agencies to develop synchronized talent development strategies.

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 on National Emergency Grants, visit www.doleta.gov/NEG.