$1M grant to help residents, businesses

WorkSource Cobb is accepting applications for COVID-19 relief.

In response to economic impacts of COVID-19 on businesses and residents, the Cobb County Board of Commissioners has issued $1 million in CARES Act funding to CobbWorks, Inc. for more than 230 Cobb residents and employers.

WorkSource Cobb is accepting applicants for the Economic Recovery and Humanitarian Assistance Project.

Residents or employers interested in participating in the project may call 770-528-4300 or email information@cobbworks.org.

CobbWorks is the private notfor-profit organization, operating as WorkSource Cobb.

As the official workforce development agency for Cobb County, WorkSource Cobb carries out the education, employment, training and supportive services necessary to aid in the economic recovery of the Cobb community, according to a county statement.

The Economic Recovery and Humanitarian Assistance Project focuses on high-demand career fields such as healthcare, information technology, advanced manufacturing, transportation and logistics.

This project also prioritizes services based on immediate need to include short-term and long-term priorities.

In the short term, eligible individuals receive education, training and employment services that focus on high-wage, shortterm training programs, including apprenticeship models.

Participants also have access to supportive services such as child care and transportation as needed.

Long-term support addresses employme n t retention and homelessness mit i ga t ion through rent assistance.

To aid employers in the wake of a slow economic recovery and encourage hiring, employers can receive assistance with talent recruitment, talent sourcing and 50 percent wage reimbursement for all eligible new hires — up to $5,000 for each new hire.

“We could not be more excited about the approval of this grant and the fact that our Cobb County commissioners understand the value in supporting residents and employers in this critical time. As a workforce agency, we have a responsibility to develop innovative strategies that improve education and skill levels of Cobb residents,” said Sonya Grant, executive director of WorkSource Cobb.

“It is definitely a win-win as the end result is a skilled talent pipeline for employers and economic mobility for residents, which overall improves the quality of Cobb County’s workforce, reduces welfare dependency and enhances the productivity and competitiveness of the state and nation as a whole,” she added.