Several area colleges and institutions were awarded grants related to workforce innovation.

Governor Mike Parson announced that the Missouri Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development (MDHEWD) has awarded $20 million in funding to nearly two dozen post secondary institutions to provide high-demand career training for new and underrepresented populations and to address the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on agriculture and supply chains.

The University of Central Missouri received $2,000,000 for Agricultural Certifications to Meet Modern Workforce and Industry Demands. Missouri Valley College received $578,839 for The Julien School of Nursing and Health Sciences building.

The Missouri General Assembly appropriated the funding to MDHEWD for the Private MoExcels and Agriculture Innovation & Workforce grant programs during the 2022 legislative session. The grants are funded through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and were recommended in Governor Parson’s Fiscal Year 2023 budget proposal.

A total of $10 million in Private MoExcels grants were awarded to 17 institutions, and a total of $10 million in Agriculture Innovation & Workforce Development awards were granted to six institutions for projects.

To view grant recipients and specific award amounts, click here.