Manchester Mayor Frank Guinta said at a news conference today that the city's strong support for the federally funded educational and job training facility would help New Hampshire's effort to obtain the $30 million facility. A statewide task force is preparing a proposal to the US Department of Labor.

"New Hampshire is only one of two States without a Job Corps Center, and our proposal must be chosen in competition with many others, but we feel our commitment to New Hampshire's youth and to employers needing highly skilled workers will enable us to win designation as the nation's 123rd Job Corps Center," said Guinta.

The Dunbarton Road property, located between Liane Street and Straw Road, is part of the former University of New Hampshire site that the City acquired for future economic development including a business park, according to Robert MacKenzie, Director of Planning and Community Development. The City has developed a Master Plan for the area and has placed the property under the jurisdiction of the Manchester Housing and Redevelopment Authority, he added.

Also attending the Job Corps Center site announcement was Governor John Lynch, U.S. Senator Judd Gregg and Congressman Jeb Bradley.

Dick Anagnost, Chair of the state's Workforce Opportunity Council, said the Job Corps Task Force would also include in its proposal a North Country location, suggested by school superintendents from the region. Anagnost said the North Country location offers an alternative site for consideration.

U.S. Senator Judd Gregg, who has led the state's congressional delegation in the effort to obtain funding a new Job Corps, said, "Our state's employers need educated and skilled workers to compete in today's global and fast-changing marketplace," said Senator Gregg. "The Job Corps Center will provide the opportunity for those who wish to enter the workforce to acquire the skills needed for tomorrow's jobs."

Governor Lynch said "I want New Hampshire to be a place of opportunity for all our citizens. A New Hampshire Job Corps Center will offer major new learning alternatives for young people, and a badly needed resource to help train workers for jobs here in New Hampshire," Gov. Lynch said. "New Hampshire is only one of two states in the nation without a Jobs Corps Center. It's time for that to end. In order to have a successful proposal, we have to work together to present the most comprehensive job training proposal possible, that is why I am urging everyone at the state and local level to fully support this project."

Congressman Jeb Bradley stated, "The announcement of a possible Job Corps center in New Hampshire is great news for our state. Employers need a highly skilled and educated workforce to help grow our state's economy. A Job Corps center will provide a vital opportunity to offer New Hampshire youth new ways to learn and train for tomorrow's workforce."