Published on July 19, 2022
United States Secretary of Commerce Gina M. Raimondo has announced that the Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $4.2 million grant to John A. Logan College. The grant will be used to construct the John A. Logan College Career and Technical Center at the College’s main campus in Carterville.
According to College President Dr. Kirk Overstreet, the College has the matching funds set aside for the project, and he hopes to begin construction over the next year.
This facility will completely transform and modernize our Career and Technical teaching and training abilities, said Overstreet. “This new facility will be adjacent to our current H building and will bring state-of-the-art tools and training opportunities providing a well-trained and well-educated community and will foster new economic growth for our industry partners in southern Illinois.”
Overstreet added that it was a total team effort to secure the grant.
“I want to thank Tammy Gwaltney, Assistant Director of Grants, and Assistant Vice-President of Facilities and Planning, Jeremy Sargent, for their work in securing the grant. They worked alongside our Academic Affairs staff to make an outstanding proposal,” said Overstreet. “I also want to thank Senators Duckworth and Durbin, along with Governor Pritzker, for their continued support of making Career and Technical learning a priority.”
In a press release from the Economic Development Administration, Senator Dick Durbin spoke of the importance of the project.
“As we build back from the devastation of the ongoing pandemic, I’m pleased to see the federal government significantly investing in Illinoisans and our local economy,” said Senator Dick Durbin. “The creation of the John A. Logan College Career and Technical Institute will open up new opportunities for those seeking trade skills training and fortify Southern Illinois’ regional economy.”
According to the agency’s website, the mission of the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) is to lead the federal economic development agenda by promoting competitiveness and preparing the nation’s regions for growth and success in the worldwide economy. An agency within the U.S. Department of Commerce, EDA invests in communities. It supports regional collaboration to create jobs for U.S. workers, promote American innovation, and accelerate long-term sustainable economic growth.