4 CSRA school districts impacted by grants to prepare workers

President Donald Trump says he may dissolve the Education Department, raising concerns among some parents and teachers in our region.
Published: Feb. 6, 2025 at 11:43 AM EST
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TIFTON, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - Four CSRA county school districts will be impacted by the $2.1 million in grants awarded to rural school districts for projects designed to increase workforce readiness.

The Georgia Chamber of Commerce and Georgia Department of Education announced the tremendous statewide impact of their 2024 partnership to meet workforce preparedness needs in rural communities on Wednesday.

GaDOE, in partnership with the Georgia Chamber of Commerce Foundation through the Georgia Chamber’s Center for Rural Prosperity, awarded $2.1 million in grants to rural school districts for projects designed to increase workforce readiness.

How would Education Department’s end affect Ga., S.C. kids?

President Donald Trump says he may dissolve the Education Department, raising concerns among some parents and teachers in Georgia and South Carolina.

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In the CSRA, Burke, Emanuel, Lincoln and McDuffie counties will be impacted by the grant.

The program ed more than 17,000 students in 64 rural school districts, impacting more than 250 business and industry partners.

The Georgia Chamber released the report as part of the organization’s Rural Day programming at the Georgia State Capitol. Rural Day showcases the Georgia Chamber’s commitment to economic development across Georgia by convening business leaders from across the state for a day of advocacy for rural communities.

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Some of the grant-funded projects include:

  • Be Pro Be Proud mobile unit visits
  • Georgia FLEX and Flexcellerator
  • Teacher and staff externships
  • Industry certifications for students
  • Skills boot camps
  • Investments in healthcare and manufacturing programs and pathways

Daniela Perry, Executive Director of the Georgia Chamber Foundation said, ”Addressing workforce preparedness in our K-12 schools is integral to ensuring future generations are able to confidently enter the workforce and evolve throughout their professional careers. The Georgia Chamber Foundation is proud to bolster the work of innovative education leaders across rural Georgia by enabling these programs for schools that have partnered with their local industries and chambers of commerce.”

Click here to read the report: “Increasing Preparedness in Rural Georgia’s Future Generations.”