City manager requests using ARPA to address workforce development
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
On Monday, the Columbia City Council will hear the request from John Glascock and city staff on where to spend $2 million of the $25 million American Rescue Plan Act funds that would address development inequalities that were exposed by the COVID-19 Pandemic.
City staff recommends funding three workforce development programs - Moberly Area Community College (MACC), Job Point, and CoMo Cooks. These programs currently work to prepare future workers, unemployed self-employed workers and encourage people who want to start their own businesses.
Jeff Lashley, President of of MACC said a bulk of the ARPA funding would help to create and fund scholarships for their college programs.
The MACC proposal includes the expansion of the Mechatronics and Makerspace programs, as well as customized training and early college career and technical education scholarships.
Customized training would include short terms and long term trainings that are customized to a students interest. Lashley said the additional funds would allow them to do more customized training.
The CoMo Cooks shared commercial kitchen proposal is for the purpose of purchasing additional equipment, renovating space in a new permanent location, and increasing program offerings for marketing, retail, business coaching, workshops and training.
The Job Point proposal is for the purchase and renovation of a new training facility and purchase of software and a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) simulator.
The ARPA funds would allow the three programs to expand their ability to train more citizens, especially those underrepresented in postsecondary education or impacted by racial and social-economic inequality.
