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Gov. Scott: Florida Job Growth Fund Awards First <br />Grant to Manatee Technical College <br />On January 20,_2'01, in 76"News Releases. by Staff <br />BRADENTON, Fla. — Today, Governor Rick Scott visited Manatee Technical College to announce that <br />the college will be awarded the first grant from the Florida Job Growth Grant Fund. Last month, the <br />School Board of Manatee County voted to accept $201,500 in funding through the Florida Job Growth <br />Grant Fund from the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO). This funding will support the <br />purchase of high-tech equipment needed to expand the workforce training program in Advanced <br />Manufacturing and Production Technology, which will help prepare more students for future career <br />opportunities. <br />Governor Scott said, "I am proud to announce that Manatee Technical College has been selected as the <br />first recipient of the Florida Job Growth Grant Fund. This program was designed to support economic <br />development projects that enhance workforce training programs, such as Manatee Technical College's <br />manufacturing program, so Florida can continue to compete in this global economy. Ensuring a well- <br />trained workforce is vital to bringing new job opportunities to families in our state, and I look forward to <br />announcing additional Florida Job Growth Grant Fund recipients in the near future." <br />This proposal was chosen based on its strong return on investment to the state and the regionally driven <br />demand for a robust manufacturing workforce. The impact of this program will help prepare Florida <br />students for years to come and encourage businesses to invest in Manatee County as a result of the skilled <br />workforce. Return on investment is calculated based on the number of Floridians completing the training <br />program and the projected increase in wages they earn once they find employment in comparison to total <br />project cost. <br />Cissy Proctor, Executive Director of DEO, said, "Our agency has worked diligently to evaluate more than <br />20o Florida Job Growth Grant Fund proposals to ensure that these funds are spent wisely. Manufacturing <br />skills are needed throughout our state, but specifically in Manatee County where there are hundreds of <br />manufacturers. Manatee Technical College has a successful existing program that will be enhanced by <br />these funds. We look forward to the opportunities this funding will bring to the families of Manatee <br />County." <br />Doug Wagner, Executive Director of Adult, Career and Technical Education at the School District of <br />Manatee County said, "This grant will greatly enhance our ability to train students and prepare them for <br />the workforce with valuable manufacturing skills, from entry-level production to quality assurance. Upon <br />completion of the full Advanced Manufacturing and Production Technology curriculum, our students at <br />Manatee Technical College will be able to earn a high -skill, high -wage job. We are proud that our program <br />has been selected by Governor Scott and will make the area more competitive with this better trained <br />workforce to match the manufacturers in the county." <br />For more information about the Florida Job Growth Grant Fund, visit www.FloridaJobs.org/JobGrowth. <br />f✓ 1,17 <br />