ED25OIE0G0117
Project Grant
Overview
Grant Description
The proposed project, building a smart manufacturing workforce in South Central Kentucky, will lead to the advancement of 800 workers with enhanced skills in automation, robotics, and management processes and place 650 of those workers in good jobs across the 10-county region centered on Bowling Green.
The South Central Kentucky Regional Development Authority, Inc. and the Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce (CHAMBER) will be the backbone organizations for a regional sectoral partnership with existing partners including manufacturers, education and training providers, workforce and economic development, and community-based organizations.
The South Central Kentucky Advanced Manufacturing Alliance sectoral partnership will attract diverse populations to manufacturing, align education and career pathways around stackable credentials, build training capacity for robotics and automation, and use earn-and-learn solutions that will fill high-demand occupations, promote wage gains for participants, and increase participation of underserved populations.
The intended beneficiaries for the project are manufacturing workers and employers in the region; the project will support recruitment and hiring from diverse populations.
Southern Kentucky Career Technical College will provide training to program participants.
Goodwill will provide wraparound services.
The South Central Workforce Development Board will lead participant recruitment and referrals.
The South Central Kentucky Regional Development Authority, Inc. and the Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce (CHAMBER) will be the backbone organizations for a regional sectoral partnership with existing partners including manufacturers, education and training providers, workforce and economic development, and community-based organizations.
The South Central Kentucky Advanced Manufacturing Alliance sectoral partnership will attract diverse populations to manufacturing, align education and career pathways around stackable credentials, build training capacity for robotics and automation, and use earn-and-learn solutions that will fill high-demand occupations, promote wage gains for participants, and increase participation of underserved populations.
The intended beneficiaries for the project are manufacturing workers and employers in the region; the project will support recruitment and hiring from diverse populations.
Southern Kentucky Career Technical College will provide training to program participants.
Goodwill will provide wraparound services.
The South Central Workforce Development Board will lead participant recruitment and referrals.
Funding Goals
EDA WILL SUPPORT REGIONAL WORKFORCE TRAINING SYSTEMS IN DESIGNING AND IMPLEMENTING ACTIVITIES FOR ESTABLISHED SECTORAL PARTNERSHIPS THAT MEET THE EXISTING AND EMERGING SKILLS NEEDS OF EMPLOYERS AND THAT TRAIN AND PLACE PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS INTO GOOD JOBS.
Grant Program (CFDA)
Awarding / Funding Agency
Place of Performance
Kentucky
United States
Geographic Scope
State-Wide
Related Opportunity
South Central Kentucky Regional Development Authority was awarded
Smart Manufacturing Workforce Development in South Central Kentucky
Project Grant ED25OIE0G0117
worth $3,975,419
from Economic Development Administration in September 2025 with work to be completed primarily in Kentucky United States.
The grant
has a duration of 3 years and
was awarded through assistance program 11.307 Economic Adjustment Assistance.
$1,002,207 (20.0%) of this Project Grant was funded by non-federal sources.
The Project Grant was awarded through grant opportunity FY 2024 Good Jobs Challenge.
Status
(Ongoing)
Last Modified 3/13/26
Period of Performance
9/5/25
Start Date
9/5/28
End Date
Funding Split
$4.0M
Federal Obligation
$1.0M
Non-Federal Obligation
$5.0M
Total Obligated
Activity Timeline
Additional Detail
Award ID FAIN
ED25OIE0G0117
SAI Number
None
Award ID URI
None
Awardee Classifications
Other
Awarding Office
1331K5 DEPT OF COMMERCE EDA
Funding Office
1331K5 DEPT OF COMMERCE EDA
Awardee UEI
KSG9JKVMDNY6
Awardee CAGE
0Q195
Performance District
KY-90
Senators
Mitch McConnell
Rand Paul
Rand Paul
Modified: 3/13/26