Regional innovation grants announced.

Earlier today, the Obama administration announced awards under the Jobs and Innovation Accelerator Challenge, a $37 million multiagency initiative to support job training and other activities related to regional industry clusters. A total of 20 public-private partnerships focused on advanced manufacturing, aerospace, and other high-growth industries will receive funding and technical assistance under the program. It is estimated that grantees will create more than 4,800 jobs and 300 new businesses, while retaining another 2,400 jobs and providing training for as many as 4,000 workers.
 
Funding for the grants is provided by three federal agencies. The Department of Labor's Employment and Training Administration (ETA) will provide $19.5 million under the H-1B Technical Skills Training Grant Program to support a range of education, training, and employment activities for workers. The Economic Development Administration (EDA) at the Department of Commerce will provide $14.5 million, while the Small Business Administration is investing $3 million. Thirteen other federal agencies, including the Departments of Education and Health and Human Services, will provide technical assistance to grantees.
 
Descriptions of funded projects may be found at the EDA website.