Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College was awarded $4 million in RESTORE Act funds as part of Gov. Phil Bryant’s Multiyear Implementation Plan (MIP) for the state, which includes nine proposed projects totaling more than $54.1 million. MGCCC will use the funds to operate the Mississippi Gulf Coast Work-Ready Community Program.

The program is designed to aid coastal citizens in the attainment of basic skills, employability skills, and specific industry skills that are needed in high-demand industry sectors. During the four years of the grant, MGCCC will help the unemployed, underemployed or other citizens of Jackson, Harrison, and Hancock Counties receive a Gulf Coast work ready credential for basic skills and employability skills training as well as assessment of skills. Individuals will then be provided a pathway into employment or skills specific training in one of three industry sectors: personal services, advanced manufacturing (maritime), or transportation/oil and gas.

“Resilient communities are dependent on a highly qualified workforce and a strong economy, and MGCCC’s “Mississippi Gulf Coast Work-Ready Community Program” will provide our community with the relevant workforce training needed to ensure our residents are able to respond in the event of natural or man-made disasters,” said Dr. Mary S. Graham, president of MGCCC.

Maintaining strong partnerships with 59 companies in South Mississippi, MGCCC serves almost 30,000 students through its academic, career/technical and workforce programs annually. The college is the state leader in workforce training, responsible for 69 percent of all workforce development in its four-county district. It has been recognized as a Top 100 Associate Degree Producer in the nation for 12 years, awarding 2,134 degrees in 2015. MGCCC was also listed as a Fastest Growing Community College in the nation and as both a STEM Jobs Approved College and a Military-Friendly School.

Comprehensive information about the initial MIP projects and all of Mississippi’s restoration efforts can be found at the Office of Restoration.