College leaders announced multiple grant wins and federal funding plans: a $2.9 million Department of Labor Strengthening Institutions award to be spent over five years and an upcoming presentation of a $5 million SBA (USA MADE) grant check. Leaders said funds will support advising, transfer work, and manufacturing upskilling.

The Employment Training Panel on March 27 approved 39 proposals totaling about $12.07 million, including major multiple-employer awards and single-employer contracts across manufacturing, food processing and healthcare. Staff flagged a pending legislative amendment to SB 1059 and announced an application pause and an AI pilot.

Builders Exchange requests funding to support manufacturing workforce and construction projects.

Lancaster County economic development staff described efforts to build pipelines for EMTs and machinists, support a machining program at Turn Dynamics through a Go Virginia implementation grant, and pursue site-inventory planning for incoming aquaculture and processing businesses, particularly blue catfish processors.

Virginia Works Network collaborates with manufacturers to address skilled labor shortages in region.

The Committee on Government Organization adopted a strike-and-insert amendment to House Bill 4005, aligning West Virginia prohibited youth employment with U.S. Department of Labor standards and allowing 16–17-year-olds to work in occupations not otherwise prohibited, with safeguards and supervised training for hazardous tasks.

Staff and business representatives told the Stephenson County planning committee that several local manufacturers are expanding and hiring, and promoted workforce resources and training partnerships to connect residents with jobs.