Effect of WIRED grants to last for years, staff say

Evidence of a three-year innovation push in the region can be seen from the anatomy classroom at Delta High School to the new GED program in New Madrid County.

Staff at the Workforce Investment Board of Southeast Missouri outlined the impact of the Workforce Innovation in Regional Economic Development Initiative, or WIRED, Monday during a luncheon at the Venue in Cape Girardeau.

Southeast Missouri received a $5 million grant from the U.S. Department of Labor in 2007, and the Workforce Investment Board of Southeast Missouri has been implementing the three-year program. A leadership council, which included several area economic organizations, helped dole out the funds.

Overall, the money funded 79 projects in 14 counties. The project included training for 3,590 people and covered Cape Girardeau, Scott, Bollinger, Perry, Ste. Genevieve, St. Francois, Iron, Madison, Butler, Stoddard, Mississippi, New Madrid, Dunklin and Pemiscot counties.

"This program will increase our value in this area for years to come," said June O'Dell, president of the Workforce Investment Board.

The program funded new degree programs at Mineral Area College in Park Hills, Mo., Three Rivers Community College in Poplar Bluff, Mo. and the Cape Girardeau Career and Technology Center. It also funded education and business-driven programs at Southeast Missouri State University, career centers and school districts throughout the region.

As the economy started turning downward, the focus of WIRED changed, said Janet Witter, manager of the initiative. The program then bolstered GED programs in the region, including the first in New Madrid County. The Susanna Wesley Family Learning Center in East Prairie, Mo., developed the off-site program, which had 21 students in its first class.

The initiative also funded more certification programs, including welding training at the Cape Girardeau Carpenters' Joint Apprenticeship Program. Of the 60 program participants, 13 reported being employed at the close of the grant.

"We said free welding training, and people came running," Witter said.

The largest portion of the funds went to green technology initiatives, including a renewable energy technology degree at Mineral Area College, the first in the region. There will also be a green diesel training program at Three Rivers' new center in Dexter.

In health care, the focus was expansion of existing programs, Witter said. Delta High School received upgrades to its anatomy program and the Poplar Bluff Technical Career Center expanded the capacity of its licensed practical nurse facility to increase enrollment by 20 percent. The Cape Girardeau Career and Technology Center will start a new physical assistant therapy program in January.

Because organizations leveraged their own resources to match the funds, sustainability was built into the program, Witter said. The initiative helped increase communication and networks across the region.

"The impact of WIRED is not reflected in just the numbers," Witter said.

abusch@semissourian.com

388-3627

By the numbers

Manufacturing and technical trades $223,994

Capacity development $360,200

Career development $534,978

Entrepreneurship $482,410

GED $178,249

Green technology $1,095,697

Health care $693,552

Science, technology, engineering and math $509,459

Total $4,078,539*

*Total does not reflect administrative costs and some recently started programs.

Pertinent address:

760 S. Kingshighway, Suite C, Cape Girardeau, MO