Project Grant MI389922260A39

This Project Grant award from the U.S. Department of Labor's Employment and Training Administration provides $2,843,526 to Rural Action Inc. under the WIOA National Dislocated Worker Grants/WIA National Emergency Grants program. The award will support Better Appalachia Ohio in delivering on-the-job training and professional development opportunities to underserved individuals in Athens and Meigs counties through September 2025.

Specifically, Better Appalachia Ohio will provide up to 1040 hours of paid on-the-job training placements at Rural Action social enterprises and industry partners such as Athens Hocking Recycling Centers to 20 participants over three years. The program also includes industry certifications aligned with living wage jobs, resume and interview assistance, and job search support. Coalfield Development Corporation and Passion Works Studios will assist as sub-awardees by contributing curriculum development and employer training respectively. The goal is to create economic mobility and address historic inequities for marginalized communities in the Appalachian region.