ICYMI: Gov. Evers Investing $130 Million To Help Wisconsin Workers Bounce Back From Pandemic

MADISON, Wis. — Today, Governor Tony Evers announced a $130 million investment in workforce development to help Wisconsin’s workforce bounce back from the pandemic and continue the state’s economic recovery. This investment will help communities develop innovative solutions to the challenges caused by the pandemic, subsidize skills training opportunities, and create a Worker Connection Program to connect unemployed Wisconsinites with job opportunities.

On top of today’s investment, Gov. Evers has already directed $600 million to small business relief, including a $420 million grant program, $140 million in grants to businesses in Wisconsin’s tourism and entertainment industries, and  $100 million to bring universal broadband coverage to Wisconsin families.

These investments are funded by President Biden’s American Rescue Plan, passed by Democrats in Congress without the support of a single Wisconsin Republican. Together, Gov. Evers, President Biden, and congressional Democrats are fighting to ensure hardworking Wisconsinites from every corner of the state can bounce back better from the pandemic. 

Read more about Gov. Evers’ workforce development investment below.

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Evers announces $130 million in American Rescue Plan funding for workforce development initiatives 

Gov. Tony Evers joined local and state economic leaders in Green Bay Wednesday to announce that he will direct $130 million in federal funding toward workforce development programs.

The funds, which come from the state’s American Rescue Plan Act allocation, will be spread across three programs that will to help regions find solutions to workforce challenges and help unemployed or underemployed workers find job opportunities.

The Democratic governor said there is “no one-size-fits all-solution” to workforce challenges.

“I’ve heard from many Wisconsin business owners, employers, out-of-work job seekers that while employment in Wisconsin continues to grow, our economy is facing obviously a workforce shortage. A shortage that existed well before I became governor, but has been made worse obviously by this pandemic,” Evers said.  

Wisconsin’s unemployment rate in May 2021 — the most recent month reported by the state — was 3.9%, tied for the 10th lowest in the country, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. 

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Wisconsin State Journal: Tony Evers announces $130 million in federal funding to focus on workforce shortage

Gov. Tony Evers on Wednesday announced plans to spend $130 million in federal stimulus funds to help unemployed individuals find work and address ongoing workforce shortage challenges across the state that have been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. 

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During a news conference at Green Bay’s TitletownTech innovation center, Evers laid out his own plan for addressing workforce shortage issues, which he noted were been present [sic] in the state long before the pandemic took hold. Under that plan, $100 million would go toward a workforce innovation program that would offer up to $10 million in grants to at least 10 local and regional collaborations that develop initiatives to help employers and workers connect.

“Wisconsin is bouncing back, but we can’t take our foot off the gas now and these investments will help get folks back to work and help our families and communities recover faster,” Evers said. 

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“Helping employers expand their candidate pools and tackling barriers to employment will make a significant and lasting impact on communities, which will offer Wisconsinites greater opportunities for generations to come,” DWD secretary Amy Pechacek said in a statement.

Wisconsin Economic Development Corp. secretary Melissa Hughes said the $100 million grant program could support a wide range of initiatives including addressing child care needs or transportation barriers or those that create pilot programs.

“We’re really looking for creativity, we’re looking for innovation but mostly were [sic] looking for collaboration,” Hughes said.

Evers said the grant program could launch as early as this fall.

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Associated Press: Evers directs $130 million toward workforce development 

Gov. Tony Evers on Wednesday announced that $130 million in federal coronavirus relief funds will be used to help address the state’s worker shortage problem and assist unemployed people searching for a job.

The bulk of the money, $100 million, will go toward a workforce innovation program for the development of solutions to workforce challenges the state faced after the COVID-19 pandemic, Evers said.

Another $20 million will go to a worker advancement initiative that will offer about 2,000 unemployed people subsidized employment and skills training opportunities with local employers. And $10 million would go to a program that provides workforce career coaches to help people find jobs. 

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WLUK: Gov. Evers announces $130 million investment in workforce efforts

Gov. Tony Evers announced the state is investing $130 million in workforce efforts.

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“I’m proud of our work to ensure Wisconsin’s economy can continue to recover, and that’s why it’s critically important that we invest in our workforce. We’ve heard from unemployed workers, business, and community leaders across the state about the workforce challenges they face, and recognize there’s no one-size-fits-all solution to meeting these needs,” Gov. Evers said. “These programs will allow us to invest in regional solutions, help businesses find workers, and provide support to our friends and neighbors who are getting back on their feet.”

The grants are funded with federal American Rescue Plan Act dollars, which support investments to address the ongoing negative economic impacts of COVID-19.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.