WASHINGTON – U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine announced today that the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) has awarded the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development and the New College Foundation a $500,000 grant to expand the New College Institute (NCI) in Martinsville.

The NCI’s proposed workforce training facility will train students in the high-demand fields of advanced manufacturing, technology and health care. NCI will use the ARC funding, matched by $1,483,236 from the state, to construct a 7,600 square foot lecture hall that will be used for conferences and seminars. Approximately 275 students are expected to be served with job training opportunities through this project.
 
"As Virginia governor, I was proud to work with local and regional leaders to identify the need and prepare the launch of the New College Institute," Sen.  Warner said. “I congratulate the NCI leadership for pursuing this grant as part of NCI’s growth. NCI  is a key component of Martinsville and Henry County’s economic development strategy, and I am eager to do everything I can to continue to move this project forward.”

“The New College Institute does critical work to train the next generation of Virginia workers and increase educational opportunities in Southside,” said Sen. Kaine. “I was proud to help make NCI a reality as governor and I’m proud to continue supporting its growth today as it provides students with the skills they need to compete for jobs in a global economy.”

Construction of the first stand-alone building for NCI began in May and is expected to be completed by next spring. The nearly 50,000 square foot facility will host new programs on entrepreneurism, advanced manufacturing and health care.

“During both their terms as governor, Governors Warner and Kaine were supportive of the development and establishment of NCI.  Their long-standing commitment to NCI has been important and reinforces their belief that higher education and economic development go hand in hand. I am pleased to receive this ARC grant as an investment in rebuilding our community through education and job creation,” said Sen. William C. Wampler, Jr., Executive Director of New College Institute.