This EDA investment supports snow college with constructing an innovative agricultural center that will help meet central utah's need for job training and creation in the city of ephraim

Snow College received a $3 million Project Grant award from the Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration under the Economic Adjustment Assistance program. The funding will support construction of an innovative Agricultural Center in Ephraim, Utah to provide job training and creation opportunities in agriculture and entrepreneurship. The Center will house an indoor arena and two classroom wings for workforce training programs. Displaced employees from downsizing in the coal industry, many of whom operate small agriculture businesses, will have the opportunity to upgrade their skills through training at the Center. The programs will allow these individuals to pursue innovative agriculture and entrepreneurship opportunities to support new job and business creation. Once completed, the Center and associated training programs are expected to help develop a skilled local workforce and attract employers to the region, supporting economic recovery from impacts of the declining coal economy.

The center will house an indoor arena, and two classroom wings to provide training and educational resources for displaced employees, many of whom already have small agriculture-related businesses. The training will allow these employees to upgrade their skills in innovative agriculture and entrepreneurship opportunities. The center will also attract business seeking trained employees in specialized fields. Once completed, the project will support the creation of good-paying jobs and workforce training in a region highly impacted by recent negative impacts from downturns in the coal economy, which will be a source of future economic recovery and resilience throughout the region.