WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congresswoman Chellie Pingree announced Coastal Counties Workforce Inc. of Brunswick will receive a $2.5 million grant from the U.S. Department of Labor to deploy a Rural Health Training program in Cumberland, Knox, Lincoln, Sagadahoc, Waldo, and York Counties.

This grant will help train rural health care workers for nursing and pharmacy jobs, according to a news release. 

“As regions urban and rural alike experience a surge in coronavirus infections, it’s clear that we need more health care workers to meet this moment,” said Rep. Pingree. “Coupled with an economic crisis that has spurred widespread unemployment, this grant could not come at a better moment.

“I’m proud to announce that Coastal Counties Workforce will receive $2.5 million to train rural workers for high-wage, high-skills careers in nursing and pharmacy. I’m particularly excited to see that this program will target unemployed and underemployed low-income Mainers, veterans, formerly incarcerated individuals, and immigrant workers — many of the same Mainers who have been affected most by the coronavirus’ economic ramifications.

In the oldest state by population, these jobs will be in high demand for years to come. I’m glad Coastal Counties is investing into jobs that meet our current crisis and prepare us for the future.”

Coastal Counties Workforce’s Maine Rural Healthcare Partnership will operate in conjunction with MaineHealth, Northern Light Health, and CVS Pharmacy in Portland, Westbrook, South Portland, Brunswick, Bath, Belfast, and Saco to train rural workers in nursing and pharmacy careers.

This grant will help with apprenticeships, on-the-job training, accelerated learning, and online learning, among other strategies, and will work with the Maine Community College System to train workers, per the release.