EDC awards grant

Bill Rethlake, Greensburg Daily News, Ind.
·1 min read

Feb. 27—GREENSBURG — The Economic Development Corporation of Greensburg Decatur County has awarded Greensburg Community High School with the organization's first Workforce Preparation Teacher Grant in the amount of $1,000.

GCHS plans to utilize the funds to purchase "RefReps" curriculum for the first 22 seats of the course.

Through the curriculum, students will receive the necessary education, coaching and leadership skills needed to prepare them to obtain Indiana High School Athletic Association Referee Certification.

This course will be offered to 10 to 15 students per semester and students have the potential to obtain certification in one or more sports.

"The EDC launched the Workforce Preparation Teacher Grant to financially assist and encourage our schools to go after programs that impact our local workforce in Decatur County," EDC Workforce Coordinator Jessica Barker said. "We feel this grant award will not only give a student the certification they need for local and statewide employment opportunities, but it will give value-added experience in problem solving, communication, critical thinking and time management — all resume building soft skills our local employers are looking for in their top talent."

Due to the IHSAA's declining workforce, the association had to cancel a large number of high school games last spring.

This program will provide local schools, recreational clubs and youth sports a pipeline of referees while giving students a secondary income.

The EDC would like to thank all of the 2023 Opportunity Expo sponsors with special appreciation of Decatur County Memorial Hospital for being a co-sponsor.

If you would like to take part in sponsoring this program or future workforce events, contact the EDC Office at 812-222-2523 or email jbarker@edcgdc.com.

Contact Bill Rethlake at 812-651-0876 or email bill.rethlake@greensburgdailynews.com.