Ivey: $1M Grant to Fund Autoworker Training Center in Tuscaloosa

State and local leaders are partnering to create a million-dollar training center for prospective automotive workers in downtown Tuscaloosa that will help staff Mercedes-Benz U.S. International and other carmakers in the state.

Alabama Governor Kay Ivey announced a $1 million grant from the Appalachian Regional Commission on Thursday, which will help convert part of the Chamber of Commerce of West Alabama's downtown Tuscaloosa headquarters for this new purpose.

Ivey said the West Alabama Chamber Foundation will renovate nearly 6,000 square feet of its building, the former Regions Bank downtown, into a workforce training center for the automotive industry.

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“Automotive manufacturing industries continue to grow and flourish in Alabama and with that growth comes the need for a ready and capable workforce,” Ivey said in a press release. “I am pleased to support the establishment of this training center which will help continue to supply a ready and able workforce for automobile manufacturers and suppliers throughout Alabama.”

Those who graduate from the training center could then take on jobs at MBUSI, at one of its third-party suppliers in Tuscaloosa County, or at the Honda, Hyundai, or Maza-Toyota plants that also call the Yellowhammer State home.

The Appalachian Regional Commission is a federal partnership benefitting counties in 13 states, including ours, and is locally administered by the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs.

“This job-ready training center will offer the types of skilled laborers the automobile manufacturing businesses are seeking in Alabama,” ADECA Director Kenneth Boswell said. “ADECA and Gov. Ivey are appreciative of the Appalachian Regional Commission and their commitment to training Alabamians for these high-demand jobs.”

For more coverage of news in West Alabama, stay connected to the Tuscaloosa Thread.