WASHINGTON  -  U.S. Representative Jo Ann Emerson (MO-08) today praised a 14-county region of Southeast Missouri for winning one of 13 three-year, $5 million grants from the U.S. Department of Labor.  The grant is made available through the WIRED, Workforce Innovation in Regional Economic Development, program.

“We have a tremendous opportunity to expand the economy and enrich the workforce here in Southern Missouri, and we should be able to replicate the successes in this program throughout the region,” Emerson said.  “We have a challenge, and a responsibility, to match people with the educational and work experiences that lead to job successes and growth.  This funding will facilitate that type of coordination across Southern Missouri, and also foster entrepreneurial ideas and assist communities with business recruitment.  It’s seed money, basically, to maximize the ingenuity, work ethic, and many talents of the people of our area.  This is a program about forming strategic partnerships.”

The funds will be used to develop and supplement initiatives to enrich employment and economic opportunities.

Eighth Congressional District counties identified in the grant are: Bollinger, Butler, Cape Girardeau, Dunklin, Iron, Madison, Mississippi, New Madrid, Pemiscot, Perry, Scott, and Stoddard.