U.S. Department of Commerce to Invest $2 Million to Enhance Health Sciences Sector in Kinston
WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross announced that the Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $2 million grant to Lenoir Community College in Kinston, North Carolina, to support the renovation of the college’s Floyd Health Sciences Building. The EDA grant, to be matched with more than $5 million in state funding and $115,439 in local investment, is expected to create over 500 jobs. “The healthcare industry is advancing rapidly under the Trump Administration, and we are committed to providing American jobs that support its growth,” said Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross. “Lenoir Community College’s new facility will boost the local economy by creating jobs and arming the region with better medical services.”
“This EDA investment will enhance the growth of the healthcare industry in eastern North Carolina,” said Dana Gartzke, Performing the Delegated Duties of the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development. “The new Floyd Health Sciences Building will feature labs, classrooms, conference rooms and office space, providing students with the tools they need to prepare for careers in the field.”
“Health services have never been more critical to our state,” said Governor Roy Cooper. “These funds will help Lenoir Community College continue to prepare our workforce for North Carolina's needs.”
“We are thrilled to have received this grant, which will allow us to expand and enhance our health sciences and nursing programs to meet the ever-growing need of health care professionals in our region,” said Lenoir Community College President Dr. Rusty Hunt. “We greatly appreciate the EDA and the support from our national, state, and local leaders, as well as our partners in the health care industry. This is a great day for Lenoir Community College and for the students we serve.”
“I was excited to learn this EDA award was granted after having written a letter to Secretary Ross requesting the funding,” said Congressman Greg Murphy (NC-03). “Lenoir Community College’s health sciences facility is a deserving recipient, especially at a time when many North Carolinians deserve economic expansion. With constituents considering alternative employment opportunities, this grant will support the growth of a regional workforce development program to health care professionals and support personnel.”This project was made possible by the regional planning efforts led by the Eastern Carolina Council, which EDA funds to bring together the public and private sectors to create an economic development roadmap to strengthen the regional economy, support private capital investment and create jobs.
This project is funded by the Additional Supplemental Appropriations for Disaster Relief Act of 2019 (Pub. L. 116-20 [congress.gov]), which provided EDA with $600 million in additional Economic Adjustment Assistance (EAA) Program funds for disaster relief and recovery for areas affected by Hurricanes Florence, Michael, and Lane, Typhoons Yutu and Mangkhut, wildfires, volcanic eruptions, and other major natural disasters occurring in calendar year 2018, and tornadoes and floods occurring in calendar year 2019, under the Robert T. Stafford Act [fema.gov]. Please visit EDA’s Disaster Supplemental webpage.
