Washington, D.C. -  U.S. Rep. Timothy V. Johnson today announced his sponsorship of the College and University Rural Education Act (CURE).

     The bill, H.R. 4139, authorizes $30 million in FY09 to create partnerships that would link rural school districts to colleges and on to employers.

     “The idea is to create a pipeline of educated and trained young people equipped with the tools to enter the workforce,” said Rep. Johnson. “The hard fact is that fewer people from rural areas go to college than those from suburban areas. That translates into employers not being able to find people they need to do the jobs.

     “The 15^th Congressional District is one of the most higher education-intensive districts in the country. It also has large reaches of rural school districts where the local economies are hurting because critical jobs can’t be filled. This legislation would not only better prepare our young people but point them to fulfilling careers,” Rep. Johnson said.

      More specifically, the bill would provide grants to colleges to increase and improve their outreach to youth to introduce them to campuses, classrooms, financial aid options and other opportunities. The bill also provides incentives for rural colleges to partner with regional employers in the training and interning of future employees.

     The bill was originally introduced by Rep. Zack Space and is now in the House Education and Labor Committee. 

###