The Tri-County Workforce Investment Board, serving Butler, Armstrong and Indiana counties, will receive $1,400,000 in grant money from the Appalachian Regional Commission, announced Sen. Bob Casey, D-Pa., on Thursday, Oct. 19. This grant will go toward boosting semiconductor manufacturing in the region.

This is one of 19 grants totaling $17.3 million, which are being distributed to counties and organizations in Pennsylvania coal communities.

“These grants from the Appalachian Regional Commission will bolster the workforce across Pennsylvania coal communities,” Casey said. “I will continue fighting to ensure our rural communities have a voice in Washington and our workers don’t get left behind.”

As part of the grant, the Steamfitters Union will provide training and set up a new training lab for semiconductor manufacturing.

“We're very excited to be working with the Steamfitters on this grant,” said TCWIB executive director Mary Salony. “We're very excited that the Appalachian Region Commission is investing in this region's economy.”