WASHINGTON – U.S. Sens. Roger Wicker and Thad Cochran today announced the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) has approved grants totaling $69,769 for two projects in Tupelo.  The Link Centre received $54,998 for the Link Kitchen Culinary Arts Job Training Program & Equipment Project.  Tupelo High School will get $14,771 to purchase advanced technology lab equipment.

“This is an important investment in economic development in the Tupelo area,” Sen. Wicker said.  “These funds will help give our young people and many of the area’s unemployed the skills and knowledge they need to find employment and succeed.” 

Tupelo High School will use the funds to purchase laptop computers and scientific instruments that are attached to the computers for use in biology, chemistry, and physics labs.  The purpose of this project is to provide students with a foundation of academic skills which will allow them to be prepared for both college and entry into a technology driven workforce. 

The Link Kitchen will use the funds to serve an additional 32 dietary management students as well as 130 other students in short-term programs.  The Link Kitchen is used as a community kitchen to provide basic food services and basic training in culinary arts.  Unemployed and underemployed Link Centre clients participate in both short- and long-term programs to prepare them for various jobs in the food industry.  The Link Kitchen also partners with area businesses to assist with job placement.

In addition to the ARC funds, local sources will provide $121,310 in matching funds, bringing the total funding for the two projects to $191,079.