The North Dakota Department of Commerce announced a $288,600 workforce enhancement grant for Lake Region State College. The grant will support efforts to develop an educational training program for the agriculture industry. Partner companies are providing matching resources for the project.

The new project will provide skill-based training of employees of implement dealers, agribusinesses and agriculture producers on the use of precision agriculture. The training will be conducted at the Dakota Precision Ag Center’s training facility as well as at sites requested by the agribusiness and producers.

"The workforce enhancement grants help increase the capacity of our higher education institutions like Lake Region State College to provide a consistent pipeline of well-trained workers educated right here in North Dakota," Department of Commerce Commissioner Al Anderson said. "Agriculture continues to be the No. 1 sector of our state’s economy. This initiative will assist the state’s agriculture industry to move toward an even higher level of efficiency and use of precision agriculture technologies."

Workforce enhancement grants enable two-year colleges to apply for funds to help create or enhance training programs that address workforce needs of North Dakota’s private-sector employers. Projects require a dollar-for-dollar match of all state money with private funds.

Grant funding may be used for curriculum development, equipment, recruiting participants, and training and certifying instructors. Funds may not be used to supplant funding for current operations.

The Workforce Enhancement Council reviews all proposals and provides funding recommendations to the commissioner of the North Dakota Department of Commerce. The council consists of the private-sector membership of the North Dakota Workforce Development Council, the state director of the Department of Career & Technical Education, and the division director of the Workforce Development Division of the North Dakota Department of Commerce, who serves as the chair.

The North Dakota Department of Commerce works to improve the quality of life for North Dakota citizens by leading efforts to attract, retain and expand wealth. Commerce serves businesses and communities statewide through committed people and partners who offer valuable programs and dynamic services.

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