Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) announced $3.9 million in Economic Development Administration (EDA) funding she secured to support projects to create and help Nevadans train for good-paying jobs in in-demand industries. Funding will go to the University of Nevada, Las Vegas to develop a program to facilitate economic recovery, resilience, and diversification in the regional tourism industry. It will also help expand the Culinary Training and Leadership Academy’s pre-vocational programming, led by Chef Jeff Henderson, for justice-involved youth and those in the foster care system.
“I’m working to help Nevadans in my home town of Las Vegas and around the state find good-paying jobs in exciting industries like hospitality, tourism, technology, and manufacturing,” said Senator Cortez Masto. “This grant funding will make a real difference in Southern Nevada for vital industries and workers and support our continued economic recovery.”
“Strong, community-connected universities like UNLV are vital to supporting regional economic recovery, development, and sustainability,” said UNLV President Keith E. Whitfield. “This grant will help UNLV advance new opportunities in high-impact growth areas like sports, cultural, and medical tourism – sectors that will help Las Vegas maintain and build on its reputation as the world leader in tourism and entertainment.”
“Culinary and hospitality careers have long been a staple of the Las Vegas economy and I want to thank our delegation for working to secure funds to provide ongoing training in these areas,” Mayor Carolyn G. Goodman said. “The city of Las Vegas is partnering with Clark County and Chef Jeff to optimize opportunities throughout Southern Nevada.”
These funds have been awarded through the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA). The funding was made available in the American Rescue Plan to support communities as they recovered from the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Senator Cortez Masto’s advocacy was crucial to securing dedicated EDA funding in the American Rescue Plan to help states like Nevada that were affected by job and revenue loss, including in the tourism and travel industries. She has also been spearheading Nevada support for applications for these specific funding opportunities. The funds will be distributed as follows:
- $2.1 million to the University of Nevada, Las Vegas to support the regional tourism industry.
- $1.8 million grant to the city of Las Vegas, Nevada, for pre-vocational programming in the culinary and hospitality sectors.
Senator Cortez Masto has been a champion of Nevada’s economy, supporting the travel and tourism sectors and working through her Innovation State Initiative to promote economic development and diversification. She has introduced multiple pieces of legislation to support Nevada’s workforce, including in the bipartisan omnibus package. She has also supported legislation and grants to develop the workforce through training in in-demand industries
like health care, travel and tourism, and transportation. During the height of the pandemic, Cortez Masto delivered resources to the state’s businesses and secured flexibility for the gaming industry. In 2019 and 2022, she led bipartisan efforts to both secure the reauthorization of Brand USA through 2027 and provide it flexibility to help the tourism industry recover. Brand USA is a public-private partnership that enhances tourism and job creation across the country.
###