Mississippi News
Choctaw tribe receives $5.8 million grant to fund new job training center
Choctaw tribe receives $5.8 million grant to fund new job training center
The Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians has received a $5.8 million federal grant to build a new workforce training center to help the tribe up-skill members and combat labor shortages for jobs ranging from IT to health care.ย
The U.S. Economic Development Administration funded the grant through the American Rescue Plan Act’s Indigenous Communities program. Choctaw economic development director John Hendrix said the new 50,000-square-foot Advanced Workforce Training Center will open in the Pearl River community in about a year, complete with hands-on equipment and computer labs covering skills from electrical work to phlebotomy.ย
โIt’s a game changer for the next generation,โ Hendrix said.ย
The tribe currently has a small center with a few classrooms, but Hendrix said the space doesn’t meet the growing demand for new trade skills. The reservation alone supports about 5,000 workers.
โWe’ve got several vacancies,โ Hendrix said. โWe need health care workers and IT professionals. We have 3-million-square-feet of buildings and need vocational technicians.โย
The facility will offer new skill training and partner with a nearby community college for required certifications. It will also help current reservation employees learn new skills, like management.ย
The center will also have a makerspace for advanced manufacturing skills and access to technology such as 3D printers. It will also support entrepreneurs and small businesses as an incubator for start-ups.ย
โWe have undertaken many projects to help our community members prepare to face a challenging and ever-evolving job market,โ Chief Cyrus Ben said in a statement. โThis Workforce Training Center is a key component of our strategy to increase the skills of our Tribal members, whether they choose a career on or outside of our Tribal lands.”
The Choctaw are the only federally recognized tribe in Mississippi with more than 11,000 members across 34,000 acres in 10 counties.ย
Hendrix said more on-site training for in-demand jobs will give tribal members who aren’t interested in four-year colleges other options. The center will keep tabs on skills needed for jobs on the reservation as well as what is in-demand at nearby private companies.ย
โThis brings it closer to home,โ he said, โand then after a 12-to-16-month program, they can have immediate employment opportunities.โ
This article first appeared on Mississippi Today and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.
Mississippi News
Dollar General vehicle theft leads to two arrests in Tupelo
SUMMARY: In Tupelo, Mississippi, 19-year-old Joshua James and a juvenile face charges related to a police pursuit and the theft of a police car. James is charged with Directing a Felony to Be Committed by a Person Under Seventeen, Grand Larceny, and Felony Fleeing, with a bond set at $100,000. The incident began on November 1 when police responded to a report of a stolen vehicle. After a chase that ended when the stolen truck crashed south of Verona, James was apprehended, while his juvenile passenger fled in a police car, which was later found wrecked. The juvenile’s case will be handled in Youth Court.
For 24/7 news and updates, follow us onย Facebookย andย X.
The post Dollar General vehicle theft leads to two arrests in Tupelo appeared first on www.wcbi.com
Mississippi News
Lowndes Co. Supervisors talk storm safety for certain areas
SUMMARY: The Lowndes County Board of Supervisors has secured funding to construct storm shelters in Crawford, Artesia, and Plum Grove, areas lacking local shelter during severe weather. Each community will receive four FEMA-funded shelters, accommodating up to 20 people each, on government property at a total cost of $103,692, with FEMA contributing $93,000. The supervisors anticipate these shelters will significantly enhance safety for residents during storms. Vice President Jeff Smith highlighted their importance, expressing relief for community members who have long awaited a secure refuge. While installation timelines remain unclear, the project is expected to proceed soon.
The post Lowndes Co. Supervisors talk storm safety for certain areas appeared first on www.wcbi.com
Mississippi News
News anchor dropped after social media post telling Trump-haters supporting Harris: ‘Stay home, donโt vote’
SUMMARY: David “Dave” Elliott, a local news anchor for WLOX in Biloxi for nearly 40 years, was fired after expressing political views on social media. He revealed on Facebook that his termination was due to his political opinions, specifically mentioning a video where he advised people not to vote out of hatred for Donald Trump. Elliott characterized his social media posts as satire, distinguishing them from his professional work. He noted that the discussion with his station’s general manager about his dismissal was brief, and the topic of social media was raised. WLOX’s management declined to comment on the matter.
The post News anchor dropped after social media post telling Trump-haters supporting Harris: ‘Stay home, don’t vote’ appeared first on www.foxnews.com
-
Kaiser Health News7 days ago
Vance Wrongly Blames Rural Hospital Closures on Immigrants in the Country Illegally
-
News from the South - Georgia News Feed6 days ago
Co-defendant takes plea deal in YSL RICO trial | FOX 5 News
-
Mississippi News Video6 days ago
Free Clinic of Meridian Celebrates 10 Years
-
Our Mississippi Home7 days ago
A New Deep Sea Remotely Operated Vehicle Coming to USM
-
News from the South - Arkansas News Feed6 days ago
Buc-eeโs set to open second Arkansas location
-
News from the South - North Carolina News Feed6 days ago
FBI arrests NC man known as 'AK Guru' who is accused of selling hundreds of machine guns
-
News from the South - Alabama News Feed3 days ago
“There is a man here trying to use your ID” Suspect caught in Elberta using stolen ID at victims wor
-
News from the South - Texas News Feed3 days ago
Former HISD employees accused in teacher cheating scheme try to avoid cameras at first court hearing