The Workforce Opportunity for Rural Communities (WORC) Initiative, managed by the U.S. Department of Labor, provides enhanced training and support activities to dislocated workers, new entrants in the workforce, incumbent workers, and individuals affected by substance use disorder returning to work in the Appalachian* and Delta regions. 

The U.S. Department of Labor has announced the availability of approximately $34.2 million in a fourth round of grant funding for the WORC Initiative. 

In the past, successful applicants proposed a wide range of activities to meet the goals of the WORC Initiative, including:

• Developing training and work-based learning opportunities;
• Providing incentives for participation and completion of grant-funded activities;
• Purchasing or leasing equipment and facilities to establish or improve training centers and increase opportunities; and,
• Working with local businesses to retain or hire new workers, including through on-the-job training, incumbent worker training, and other approaches.

View the full Notice of Funding Opportunity here.

*Georgia (37 counties): Banks, Barrow, Bartow, Carroll, Catoosa, Chattooga, Cherokee, Dade, Dawson, Douglas, Elbert, Fannin, Floyd, Forsyth, Franklin, Gilmer, Gordon, Gwinnett, Habersham, Hall, Haralson, Hart, Heard, Jackson, Lumpkin, Madison, Murray, Paulding, Pickens, Polk, Rabun, Stephens, Towns, Union, Walker, White, and Whitfield