Mitchell Technical Institute is the recipient of a nearly $2 million grant from the U.S. Department of Labor and the funding comes in the nick of time, said Mitchell Technical Institute President Greg Von Wald.
The money will be used to train workers for utility and wind energy companies statewide.
"This funding could not have come at a more critical time," said Von Wald, who was in Pierre this week digging for more school funding.
If the Legislature approves Gov. Mike Rounds' early budget cutting recommendations, the state's four tech schools stand to lose more than $3 million in funding, said Von Wald, who worries more cuts could be in the gubernatorial pipeline.
"We've been getting pressure for years to expand our power line and natural gas programs because the industry needs more people," he said.
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"But those programs require extensive capital for trucks, trenchers and other equipment. That was the reason for building our new technologies building," he said.
The grant, which will be disbursed over a three-year period, will also help pay for instructors and specialized equipment for MTI's new wind technologies program, due to launch next September.
"This will help an unbelievable amount," he said. "Trucks and wind generators are not small items and I was concerned. This is an answer to our prayers."
The grant comes from the Labor Department's Community-Based Job Training Grants program, which encourages partnerships between employers and community colleges as well as other training providers.
South Dakota is one of 36 states that will receive this funding.
