U.S. Department of Commerce Invests $1.8 Million in American Rescue Plan Funds to Boost Culinary Workforce Training Programs in Southern Nevada

WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo announced that the Department's Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $1.8 million grant to city of Las Vegas, Nevada, to support workforce development in the culinary and hospitality sectors. This grant is funded by the American Rescue Plan.

This EDA investment will expand the Culinary Training and Leadership Academy's pre-vocational programming for justice-involved youth and those in the foster care system. This EDA grant will be matched with $450,432 in local funds and is expected to create 214 jobs and generate $3 million in private investment, according to grantee estimates.

"President Biden's American Rescue Plan offers direct relief to communities to build a better America," said Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo. "This EDA investment will support workforce development efforts designed to prepare potentially at-risk Clark County youth for good-paying jobs."

"The Economic Development Administration plays an important role in supporting local economic development strategies designed to boost regional economic growth and resiliency," said Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Alejandra Y. Castillo. "This project will help create essential job opportunities for the highest-need communities in Clark County."

"The Culinary Academy of Las Vegas supports so many Nevada workers, and this funding I helped deliver will allow it to expand its programs to help young people in need gain the skills to succeed in Las Vegas's world-class hospitality, travel, and tourism industries," said Senator Catherine Cortez Masto. "I'll continue working to support job-seekers in Nevada and ensure they're able to find positions in in-demand industries."

"I have seen first-hand the great service and top tier workforce training that the Culinary Training and Leadership Academy provides, which helps make Las Vegas a world-class destination," said Senator Jacky Rosen. "This grant funding I helped secure will invest in similar culinary workforce development and training, and will open the door to good-paying jobs for many of Clark County's potentially at-risk youth."

"Thanks to the investments made in the American Rescue Plan, Southern Nevada continues its strong economic recovery even though it was one of the hardest hit regions during the pandemic," said Congresswoman Dina Titus (NV-01). "Culinary workers are the backbone of Las Vegas's hospitality and tourism industry. This funding will train at-risk youth for good paying jobs while allowing Las Vegas to maintain the gold standard in the hospitality industry."

This project is funded under EDA's American Rescue Plan Economic Adjustment Assistance program, which makes $500 million in Economic Adjustment Assistance grants available to American communities. The Economic Adjustment Assistance program is EDA's most flexible program, and grants made under this program will help hundreds of communities across the nation plan, build, innovate, and put people back to work through construction or non-construction projects designed to meet local needs. Effective May 26, 2022, EDA has officially closed all of its American Rescue Plan programs for applications. The $3 billion program funding will be awarded on a rolling basis through September 30, 2022.

About the U.S. Economic Development Administration (www.eda.gov)
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 and supports regional collaboration in order to create jobs for U.S. workers, promote American innovation, and accelerate long-term sustainable economic growth.

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