Funding opportunities to bring economic growth to rural communities that currently or historically have had a high concentration of employment in energy extraction and related industries can be found in the May 2021 edition of RWFI E-Note Monthly.
This latest edition of the newsletter outlines how eligible communities in the Appalachian and Delta regions can apply for funding through a U.S. Department of Labor grant program to diversify their economies through training and other approaches, preparing dislocated and other workers for success.

The Workforce Opportunity for Rural Communities (WORC) program acknowledges the impact of the opioid crisis and the significant challenges it presents to a community’s workforce. The program is encouraging applicants to share their strategies to address employment and training needs of individuals affected by substance use disorders.

RWFI E-Note Monthly also is filled with up-to-date information about various programs offered by the National Science Foundation, the U.S. Department of Energy and other organizations and agencies to develop a diverse and skilled workforce in cybersecurity, agricultural sciences, research and development, and other fields.

Previous editions of RWFI E-Note Monthly can be found in the newsletter’s online archive. Click here for more information about the NETL Regional Workforce Initiative.