The U.S. Department of Commerce awarded the Collin County Community College District in Plano, Texas, a $2 million grant to enhance healthcare workforce training. This funding, provided by the Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA), is aimed at building infrastructure improvements essential for healthcare education.
The new facility aims to prepare students for local jobs in healthcare. An additional $500,000 in local funds will support the project, which is expected to create 4,000 jobs.
"By investing in leading-edge healthcare infrastructure, we are boosting workforce development programs that help skilled employees secure well-paying jobs," Senator John Cornyn said in a statement. "This award will give Collin College in Plano the opportunity to expand healthcare workforce development in North Texas, impacting the local economy positively."
According to Community Impact, the project will convert existing classroom space into health science labs, offering students hands-on training opportunities and the construction work will also incorporate energy-efficient elements.
The funding for this project comes from the Disaster Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2023, which allocated $483 million to the EDA for disaster relief and recovery. These funds support areas affected by major disasters declared under the Robert T. Stafford Act due to events such as Hurricanes Ian and Fiona, wildfires, flooding and other natural disasters in 2021 and 2022.
"This investment in Plano will strengthen the regional healthcare workforce, creating new job opportunities for Texans and supporting a resilient regional economy," said Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Alejandra Y. Castillo in an official statement.
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