Governors want everyone in their states to have a shot at living their own American Dream. That means not only creating jobs but ensuring jobseekers have the preparation and opportunity to fill them – all while taking action to capitalize on advances in Artificial Intelligence (AI). Here are just a few of the ways Governors are innovating to build on-ramps to opportunity in their states.
Creating Good Paying Jobs
From investing in infrastructure and education to providing incentives for businesses, Governors are deploying a range of tools to generate opportunities in good-paying jobs of today and tomorrow.
Alabama Governor Signs “Powering Growth” Plan into Law
Alabama Governor Kay Ivey signed into law the “Powering Growth” plan which establishes the Alabama Energy Infrastructure Bank, a strategic plan to mitigate long lead times for crucial energy equipment and streamline permitting processes. The initiative aligns with the Alabama Growth Alliance’s strategic priorities, focusing on expanding energy capacity and developing prime sites for industrial and commercial development, turning shovel ready sites into move-in ready sites and addressing supply chain constraints.
Arizona Launches Statewide SCALE Program to Empower Entrepreneurs
The Arizona Small Business Association, in partnership with the Arizona Commerce Authority, unveiled its newest entrepreneurial program, SCALE (Strategic Coaching for Advancing Local Entrepreneurs). The two-part initiative embraces a holistic approach to small business development, blending expert-led education and training sessions with personalized coaching opportunities.
Indiana Launches Office of Entrepreneurship and Innovation
Indiana Governor Mike Braun launched the Office of Entrepreneurship and Innovation to help Main Street entrepreneurs start, grow, and scale their businesses to grow Indiana’s economy and support Hoosier workers. The new office will develop and administer programs to support the growth of small business, entrepreneurship, and innovation in Indiana, and coordinate funding, policies, and partnerships to support those efforts.
Maryland Announces $6.95M in Build Our Future Grant Awards
Maryland Governor Wes Moore announced that the Maryland Department of Commerce has awarded 10 grants totaling $6.95 million through the Build Our Future Grant Pilot Program. The program provides grants of up to $2 million to private companies, nonprofit entities, local governments, as well as colleges and universities to fund innovation infrastructure projects for technology sectors.
Pennsylvania Announces First PA SITES Grant Awards
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro announced the Commonwealth is investing $64 million in 11 projects through the first round of the PA SITES (Pennsylvania Strategic Investments to Enhance Sites) program to build shovel-ready industrial sites across the Commonwealth in order to attract businesses, investment, and good-paying jobs to Pennsylvania. PA SITES funding can be used for planning grants to conduct plans or feasibility studies for prospective sites, as well as construction grants and loans to help finance strategic investments to enhance sites across the Commonwealth.
Tennessee Launches Innovation & Research for Industry Success Grant Program
The Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development announced the launch of the Innovation & Research for Industry Success Grant Program. The grant program will allow companies to pilot innovative technologies and pursue new discoveries that will facilitate collaborations to strengthen Tennessee’s research capabilities and foster long-term corporate investment in the state’s innovation ecosystem.
Empowering Students and Workers
Governors are rapidly expanding workforce development opportunities to match jobseekers with opportunity in in-demand fields through programs like apprenticeships, technical education, reskilling opportunities and more.
Colorado Executive Order Seeks to Strengthen State’s Workforce
Colorado Governor Jared Polis recently signed an Executive Order directing Colorado’s state agencies to work together with the Department of Education to help more post-high school learners access needed credentials.
Delaware Executive Order Aimed at Reinvigorating Workforce Development Support
Delaware Governor Matt Meyer signed an Executive Order establishing the Office of Workforce Development within the Delaware Department of Labor, and reestablishing and streamlining the Delaware Workforce Development Board. The new, centralized Office of Workforce Development will partner with the Workforce Development Board to strategically manage state and federal resources, improve how programs perform, and provide better services for job seekers and employers.
Governor Kemp Signs Bills Strengthening Georgia Workforce Development
Georgia Governor Brian Kemp signed legislation strengthening the state’s workforce pipeline at the Technical College System of Georgia Leadership Summit. The bills extend the Dual Achievement Program, enable apprenticeship sponsors to participate in the High Demand Apprenticeship Program, and establish an adult workforce high school diploma program.
Kentucky Training Program Provided Training to Over 11,700 Individuals
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear announced that over 11,700 Kentuckians will receive skills training thanks to support provided through the Bluegrass State Skills Corp. The Grant-in-Aid program provides cash reimbursements for occupational and skills upgrade training at Kentucky businesses. The Skills Training Investment Credit program offers state income tax credits for companies to offset the costs for approved training programs.
Missouri Awards Nearly $6M in Tax Credits through the Youth Opportunities Program
The Missouri Department of Economic Development announced that it will award more than $5.9 million in 50% tax credits to 37 organizations through the Youth Opportunities Program. The program allows organizations to leverage private-sector funds by providing partial state tax credits to businesses and individuals making contributions to approved youth development or crime prevention projects. The program funds a variety of project types, including degree completion, internships and apprenticeships, mentoring, substance abuse prevention, violence prevention, counseling, and more.
Wyoming Launches “Forge Your Future” Campaign to Highlight In-State Career Opportunities
The Wyoming Department of Workforce Services and Wyoming Workforce Development Council, in partnership with Kalen Marketing Solutions, has launched the Forge Your Future initiative, a statewide campaign designed to spotlight growing career opportunities across Wyoming’s leading industries: construction, manufacturing and trades, healthcare, and tourism and hospitality. The initiative aims to provide awareness of the occupations that are thriving and in-demand in Wyoming for the unemployed or underemployed job seekers who are looking to transition into these industries
Artificial Intelligence
As AI and other technological advances transform the job market, workforce development must transform, too. Through forward-thinking investments in research and training, Governors are leading efforts to harness AI’s potential.
Oregon Announces Investment to Foster AI Workforce and Economic Development
Oregon Governor Tina Kotek announced a $10 million investment in artificial intelligence (AI) workforce development alongside a new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the State of Oregon and NVIDIA to expand AI education and skill-building and help state agencies identify ways to responsibly use AI to improve government services.
Maine Research Report on Workforce Implications of AI
The Maine Department of Labor’s Center for Workforce Research and Information delivered a report to the Governor’s AI Task Force that explores the implications of generative artificial intelligence. It documents the potential use of AI among a wide range of occupations, including how likely they are to be impacted by their adoption, including characteristics such as current jobs, wages, and educational requirements.
Mississippi Launches AI Talent Accelerator Program, $9.1M in Grants
Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves announced the launch of the Mississippi AI Talent Accelerator Program (MAI-TAP), a new initiative that fosters the development of artificial intelligence, machine learning, and related technical capacities across the state’s institutions of higher learning to support the expansion of Amazon Web Services in Mississippi. Governor Reeves also announced $9.1 million in grants through MAI-TAP to institutions of higher learning to develop workforce programs that address the skill development demands of the artificial intelligence sector.
Virginia Launches AI Career Launch Pad in Partnership with Google
Virginia Governor Youngkin announced the launch of VirginiaHasJobs.com/AI, a new online AI Career Launch Pad to help Virginians explore, learn, and connect to high-demand AI and tech-related opportunities. Developed by Virginia Works in partnership with the Grow with Google program, the one-stop launch pad is designed to help working-age Virginians understand, explore, and prepare for the growing role of artificial intelligence across a wide range of industries and jobs.
At this week’s NGA Workforce Development Policy Institute, policy advisers from across the country will share best practices on classroom-to-career pathways, aligning talent pipelines for economic growth, and many more strategies to prepare their states to thrive in the AI economy. Bookmark the Workforce Development and Economic Policy program page for updates.
