During August, Congress takes some time away from Washington. I have been glad to have a week back in Western North Carolina with my family and my neighbors throughout our mountain region. Although this week Congress is taking a short break from our District Work Period to take several important votes, I look forward to being back in North Carolina speaking to you and learning how I can serve you better.
Last week, I had the opportunity to take part in several events with the Appalachian Regional Commission which does so much to improve the quality of life for families throughout our region. I was honored to be able to take part in an event announcing $794,000, including $300,000 from ARC, to create a green workforce training program that will be developed by Haywood Community College, Tri-County Community College, and Southwestern Community College, and administered by the Southwestern Economic Development Commission.
This program will reach more than 400 students, and I look forward to seeing the positive impact their knowledge and skills will have on job growth in our area. Since 1998, clean energy jobs in North Carolina have grown by over 15 percent, while other jobs have increased by only 6 percent. Growing momentum for clean energy and energy efficiency will foster tremendous growth in green manufacturing and in the high-tech industry to put more Americans to work.
As a historically underdeveloped region with little access to resources, our communities have been forced to rely on ingenuity and teamwork to survive in an evolving economic climate. Out of necessity, we have built exceptionally strong and proactive regional development organizations, like the Southwestern Commission and other Economic Development Commissions in my district—and like the Appalachian Regional Commission. Appalachia looked profoundly different fifty, or even twenty, years ago, and I know that the coming years will bring even more economic development and advancement opportunities.
The local community colleges who are taking part in this green workforce training program have a great legacy of working together and cooperating. We are lucky to have such phenomenal educators and administrators in our region who work together so well and create great results. We have to work together, we have to share resources and cooperate to build upon our successes and continue to grow our local economy. I was proud to take part in this event, and look forward to working with our local officials, economic development organizations and small businesses to continue to bring jobs and training back to Western North Carolina.
