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ETA News Release: [06/19/2008]
Contact Name: Jennifer Kaplan or Terry Shawn
Phone Number: (202) 693-5052 or x4676
Release Number: 08-829-KAN

U.S. Department of Labor awards $250,000 to assist with regional economic growth plans for southeast Nebraska

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $250,000 Regional Innovation Grant to a 12-county area of southeast Nebraska to establish plans for promoting economic growth and addressing current and future dislocation events.

"This grant will help southeast Nebraska launch a newly defined regional economy that attracts innovative businesses and offers workers better job opportunities," said acting Assistant Secretary for Employment and Training Brent R. Orrell.

The grant, awarded to the City of Lincoln Urban Development Department, will, among other activities, support planning, outreach to potential stakeholders, regional asset mapping and a Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats (SWOT) assessment. Through these efforts, the region will develop a regional implementation plan that links economic and workforce development strategies.

The region targeted for this project consists of the following counties: Fillmore, Gage, Johnson, Lancaster, Nemaha, Otoe, Pawnee, Richardson, Saline, Saunders, Seward and York. High-growth industries targeted for recruitment include life sciences, computer software, insurance, financial services, business services and logistics/distribution.

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 strategic regional plans focused on talent development 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, visit www.doleta.gov/NEG.