(Featured image of downtown Augusta by Charmain Z. Brackett/Augusta Good News)
Mayor Garnett L. Johnson announced May 18 that Augusta has been chosen as one of five hub cities to participate in the Biden-Harris President’s Investing in America Agenda.
The Administration’s efforts will focus on preparing and creating pathways for people in Augusta and the surrounding areas to access the good-paying jobs created by the American Rescue Plan, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the CHIPS and Science Act, and Inflation Reduction Act, the release said.
According to information from the White House, “Augusta and the surrounding region form a diverse community that is home to Fort Gordon, the Medical College of Georgia, and the Savannah River Nuclear Power Plant. The Augusta area is on the forefront of the Administration’s sustainable domestic production agenda, with $1.4 billion in recently announced private-sector investments, including in batteries. The Administration’s efforts will focus on preparing and creating pathways for people in Augusta and the surrounding areas to access the good-paying jobs created in the clean energy industry, among others.”
The Mayor’s Office will engage community and corporate stakeholders that will enhance the efforts of today’s announcement. With Georgia being the number one state in which to do business for nine consecutive years. Augusta stands at the forefront of this development with multi-billion-dollar companies and exceptional educational entities, Johnson’s release said.
“My administration has begun collaboration with local community partners so we can have a complete vision for progressive workforce development for Augusta and the surrounding regions. The City of Augusta looks forward to partnering with The White House and regional stakeholders to train a workforce that will be ready and capable to meet the needs and requirements of employers in various industries, Johnson said.
The Biden-Harris Administration made the announcement May 16 by saying it was creating “new efforts to ensure all Americans can access the good jobs created by the President’s Investing in America agenda, including the American Rescue Plan, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the CHIPS and Science Act, and the Inflation Reduction Act. These strategies build off the Administration’s Roadmap to Support Good Jobs, a collaborative agency effort to align on guideposts to build our workforce by ensuring every American—whether they go to college or not—will have equitable access to high-quality training, education, and services that provide a path to a good career without leaving their community.”
Other city officials expressed their thoughts on the announcement.
“Augusta’s selection as a workforce hub is a significant achievement for the city, as it means that Augusta will receive additional resources and support from the federal government to help develop and expand our workforce,” according to Augusta Commissioner Jordan Johnson. “The workforce hub designation is expected to bring about $100 million in federal funding to Augusta over the next three years, which will be used to support job training programs, educational opportunities, and other initiatives aimed at helping workers gain the skills they need to succeed in today’s economy. Overall, this is good news for Augusta and our residents, as it provides an opportunity to strengthen the local economy and create new job opportunities.”
The other hub cities are Phoenix, Ariz., Columbus, Ohio; Pittsburgh, Pa. and Baltimore, Md.
To read the full announcement click here.
