City to consider 10th annual workforce development grants

Columbus and Bartholomew Consolidated Schools will be considering continuing a workforce development grant program meant to get students ready for the workforce.

According to documents from the Columbus Redevelopment Commission, the board is scheduled to consider the grant request from the school district at the commission’s meeting this afternoon.

In previous years, the school district has requested and been approved for $1 million in grant funds that go toward programs such as i-Grad, transition planning and STEM initiatives. The transition planning helps move students with disabilities into the workforce or post-secondary education. i-Grad is working toward a 100 percent graduation rates among high school students.

If approved, this would be the 10th year for the program.

Redevelopment funds come from tax revenues generated from the community’s Tax Increment Financing Districts, which are controlled by the city’s redevelopment commission. All spending of more than $500,000 by the redevelopment commission must be approved by Columbus  City Council.

Columbus Redevelopment Commission meets at 4 p.m. this afternoon at Columbus City Hall.