Rutherford Weekly

Thursday, November 10-November 16, 2022 www.rutherfordweekly.com 828-248-1408 Rutherford Weekly - Page 13 139 E. Main Street, Downtown Forest City 828-245-4591 Mon.-Fri. 7:30am-7pm, Sat. 7:30-4pm www.SmithsDrugsFC.com Like us on ©Community First Media Community First Media Vaccine for the 2022-2023 Flu Season is available NOW See your Smith's Drugs of Forest City Pharmacist for your fl u shot No out-of-pocket cost with most insurance plans Crews from the Town of Forest City Electric Department were out early on a foggy morning replacing bulbs in the lights that will be ofÐicially tuned on Thanksgiving evening at the traditional lighting ceremony. Article Provided By: Pat Nanney The North Carolina Department of Commerce has awarded 20 special grants to 11 local workforce development boards, totaling $8.45 million, Governor Roy Cooper announced today. Boards will use the grants to help jobseekers and small businesses with training and other services in response to a tight labor market. These include programs for individuals who are in the reentry process and individuals with or at risk of substance abuse. Federal American Rescue Plan Act funds are supporting this initiative. "In today's changing economy, we must help more North Carolinians overcome barriers to entering the workforce, particularly individuals reentering after incarceration, while also helping our employers train workers with the skills they need," Governor Cooper said. "These grants will provide new opportunities for communities to fi ll good jobs and put more money in the pockets of hard-working North Carolinians." "As part of the state's First in Talent strategic economic development plan, we are investing in the people of North Carolina through these innovative grants," said N.C. Commerce Secretary Machelle Baker Sanders. "Alongside our NCWorks partners, we will help increase labor force participation by preparing individuals who are involved in the reentry process, and those who have suffered from opioid addiction or other substance use disorders, for career success. At the same time, we will expand Work-Based Learning opportunities to support the small businesses that are vital to our state's economic growth." The Department of Commerce awarded 11 NCWorks Small Business Work-Based Learning Grants: Foothills Workforce Development Board (Cleveland, McDowell, Polk and Rutherford counties): A $321,000 grant will build on the existing local work- based learning program, utilizing On-the-Job Training (OJT), Adult and Youth Work Experience (WEX) and Incumbent Worker Training (IWT). The source of funding for all these grants is a component of the American Rescue Plan Act, the State Fiscal Recovery Fund (SFRF), which provides $5.4 billion to North Carolina to help turn the tide on the pandemic, address its economic fallout, and lay the foundation for a strong and equitable recovery. The N.C. General Assembly appropriated the SFRF in the 2021 Appropriations Act (Session Law 2021-180). The Division of Workforce Solutions at the N.C. Department of Commerce will soon begin accepting applications from local government agencies and non-profi t organizations for workforce grants from the same funding source. Individual jobseekers and employers interested in services funded by grants to local workforce boards should contact their local NCWorks Career Centers. Contact information is found at www.NCWorks.gov. Governor Announces $8.45 million in Workforce Development Grants to Local Communities Local workforce development boards will use funds to help jobseekers, small businesses Article Provided By: governor.nc.gov SUBSCRIBE SUBSCRIBE o n l i n e o n l i n e Visit Visit rutherfordweekly.com rutherfordweekly.com click on click on "subscribe to our weekly digital edition" "subscribe to our weekly digital edition" Online Subscription Online Subscription is FREE! is FREE! Be notifi ed via email Be notifi ed via email of new of new publications! publications! Online Version Same As The Printed Copy! RUTHERFORDWEEKLY.COM RUTHERFORDWEEKLY.COM

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