Mid-State Technical College will receive a $1.8 million grant from the U.S. Commerce Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) for building renovations needed to boost workforce development in the region. The award was announced last week by U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo.

This grant will be used to create a workforce development center on the Adams Campus to provide training in the healthcare, welding and construction sectors. This EDA investment will be matched with $1.8 million in local funds and is estimated to create 150 jobs, retain 50 jobs and generate $2 million in private investment.

“The Biden-Harris Administration’s Investing in America Agenda is committed to creating good-paying jobs throughout America in the most in-demand industries and getting workers the skills they need to take advantage of those jobs,” said Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo. “This EDA investment will help support essential technical jobs, diversify the local economy and boost regional economic resilience in Wisconsin Rapids for decades to come.”

Currently, Mid-State’s Adams Campus serves over 632 students annually through workforce training, professional development and adult education courses. The campus addition will provide healthcare, construction and welding programs on site, reducing the need to travel to other campuses, a barrier for many students. 

“Mid-State Technical College is committed to creating new solutions to address the workforce challenges in our district, and that means providing new educational opportunities to expand the talent pipeline in central Wisconsin,” said Mid-State President Dr. Shelly Mondeik. “Receiving this grant is an important step to delivering that vision, and we can’t wait to move forward with the project.”

According to Mid-State's Adams Campus dean, Rick Anderson, the funds will be used to remodel the existing 2,025 square-foot building as well as constructing and equipping an additional 1,700 square feet. “This facility currently provides the only postsecondary career and technical education training within this rural community and county, which is historically underserved,” Anderson said. “Nearly doubling the training space here will allow Mid-State to provide our Adams community with much-needed access to a variety of new degree options and other opportunities to expand their skillsets.”

“The U.S. Economic Development Administration is proud to partner with local communities to execute place-based initiatives that respond to the local needs of the economy,” said Deputy Assistant Secretary for Policy and External Affairs Cristina Killingsworth. “This project will enable Mid-State Technical College to bolster the in-demand talent pool of healthcare, manufacturing and construction workers in Adams County to ensure that good-paying jobs remain in the region.”

“I declared 2024 the Year of the Worker in Wisconsin because we’re working to bolster our workforce to ensure we’re ready to meet the demands of a 21st-century economy,” said Governor Tony Evers. “Our technical colleges play a critical role in helping train and retain talented workers, so I am grateful to the EDA, Mid-State Technical College and the Biden-Harris Administration for their partnership in helping create family-supporting jobs and prepare highly skilled workers right here in Wisconsin.”

“This investment will help Wisconsinites get the skills they need to land good-paying jobs in growing fields so they can plant roots and build a life here in the Badger State,” said Senator Tammy Baldwin. “I am proud to support Mid-State Technical College and give more Wisconsinites the opportunity to get a foot in the door of in-demand careers and meet our local businesses’ demands for a skilled and ready workforce.”