Commerce Secretary Spotlights Education and Technology in Hometown Midland, Texas

U.S. Commerce Secretary Don Evans today in his hometown Midland, Texas recognized education and technology as a key formula to continue economic growth and create higher paying jobs for Midland citizens. Evans participated in the opening ceremonies for the Franz Weis Exhibit and toured Midland College Advanced Technology Center.

“The partnership between the Commerce Department and Midland College will put education and technology in the hands of students, parents, and teachers to ensure that no child is left behind,” said Evans. “President Bush and I strongly support the innovative research and development that takes place at our nation’s colleges and universities.”

The U.S. Commerce Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) invested $900,000 to help build the Advanced Technology Center.

The Advanced Technology Center houses computers, electronics, automotive technology, and welding and machining equipment, as well as, two medical simulation labs for local high schools and colleges. The Center hopes the Franz Weis Exhibit will promote and increase technology education at the Center.

Franz Weis is legendary in the auto-racing world and for many years was the engine builder for Jim Hall and Chaparral Racing.

EDA serves as a venture capital resource to meet the economic development needs of distressed communities throughout the United States. EDA partners with states, units of local government and community nonprofit organizations in economically distressed areas, regions and communities in order to alleviate conditions of poverty and substantial and persistent unemployment and underemployment.

Additional information on how EDA investments are helping distressed communities create a positive and sustainable economic future can be accessed at: http://www.doc.gov/eda.