Eastern Wyoming College has been approved for a two-million-dollar Economic Development Administration (EDA) grant from the Department of Commerce. The grant is an investment in EWC’s new Construction Technology Program on the college’s Douglas Campus.

“This expansion project will provide new workforce training to meet the need for a highly skilled workforce for the construction trades,” EWC President Jeffry Hawes said. “I would like to share that many partners have joined the effort with financial support that include the City of Douglas, City of Glenrock, and EWC.”

The grant is for the construction of the new facility on the Douglas Campus to house the new program.

“There is a high demand for skilled laborers in the construction industry,” EWC vice-president of Douglas Campus Margaret Farley said. “It (the program) is important to Wyoming because we are trying to diversify our economy. “

The new Construction Technology Program will be a one or two-year program. The first year will focus on basic construction skills and will provide graduates with a certificate. The second year will focus on management and could lead to an Associate’s degree.

The next step will be to go out for an RFP, RFQ for an architect, Farley said.