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ETA News Release: [09/19/2007]
Contact Name: Jennifer Kaplan or Jennifer Coxe
Phone Number: (202) 693-5052 or x4676
Release Number: 07-1349-CHI

U.S. Department of Labor announces $250,000 grant to assist Southern Illinois workers

Regional Innovation Grant aimed at talent, economic development for 20 counties

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $250,000 Regional Innovation Grant to help Illinois establish the Southern Illinois WORKS (SI WORKS) leadership team, which will generate talent development strategies to spur economic development in a 20-county region.

"Talent development strategies that are focused regionally, rather than locally, expand workers" employment and advancement opportunities," said Assistant Secretary of Labor for Employment and Training Emily Stover DeRocco. "The SI WORKS team will identify and target growing industries" competency and skill needs, and design talent development strategies to educate and prepare Southern Illinois" workforce to succeed in the 21st century economy."

The grant, awarded to the Southern Illinois Workforce Investment Board, will support the creation of SI WORKS and provide meaningful employment opportunities through the implementation of strategies that will shorten the transition of dislocated workers into new employment.

The SI WORKS strategic partnership will develop plans for establishing an innovative, competitive regional economy that is driven by a robust health care system that utilizes the area"s talent and growing population. Plans will result in strategies that help prevent future worker dislocations, minimize the time workers are unemployed, and assist in developing and marketing the skills of these workers to attract new 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 on National Emergency Grants, please visit www.doleta.gov/NEG.