Roane State receives $1.3M in grants from Appalachian Regional Commission’s POWER Initiative
By Deborah Robbins, Roane State Communications Specialist
Roane State was recently awarded $1,366,546 by the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) for its “Driving the Nuclear Technology Industry with a High-Quality Workforce” project.
The ARC grant is funded by $956,546 of federal funds, totaling 70% of the project, with RSCC funding 30% of the project with $410,000 in matching funds.
The Appalachian Regional Commission is an economic development entity of the federal government and 13 state governments focusing on 423 counties across the Appalachian Region. ARC’s mission is to invest and partner to strengthen economic development in Appalachia to help the region reach its full economic potential.
This award is made available through ARC’s POWER (Partnerships for Opportunity and Workforce and Economic Revitalization) Initiative, which directs federal resources to help Appalachian coal communities expand economic opportunities by creating high-quality, in-demand jobs in multiple industries, attracting new sources of private investment, and providing comprehensive workforce services and skills training.
“ARC grants require a demonstrated partnership of business and industry, economic development, local communities, and post-secondary education,” Roane State President Chris Whaley said. “This grant will further allow Roane State to produce highly qualified graduates and upskilled workers ready to meet the region’s critical workforce needs in the nuclear, chemical, and environmental health sectors.”
Long-standing and new nuclear industry businesses in the area, as well as state and local economic development organizations, local governments, organized labor, and Roane State’s industry driven advisory committees made grant development possible.
Funding will prioritize hiring adjunct faculty to support the nuclear technology and chemical engineering technology programs, securing equipment and supplies to support the delivery of nuclear-related curriculum, and further developing curriculum for both nuclear programs and non-credit training opportunities.
Career immersion programs will also be formed by building pipelines of high school students pursuing nuclear career pathways, and tuition and fee support will be available for two-year degree seeking students.
Education for technicians and specialized training for trades and professional careers will be strengthened and deployed as well.
As the East Tennessee region transitions to a nuclear focus, the need for a skilled nuclear technology workforce and related fields has accelerated in recent years.
“Roane State and its industry partners are well-positioned to meet the workforce challenges ahead of us,” Vice President of Workforce Development Teresa Duncan added. “Our technical STEM programs, particularly our Associate of Applied Science degrees in Chemical Engineering Technology, Nuclear Technology, and Environmental Health Technology, are directly aligned with the skills and competencies required by the ever-expanding nuclear sector.”
The new project will center outreach to rural, distressed, and at-risk counties to ensure equitable access to education and training opportunities.
To learn more about the ARC POWER Initiative, visit arc.gov/POWER.
