MS Works Eligible Projects

MS Works Eligible Projects. Eligible projects must address the critical training needs of eligible Benefitting Businesses or provide training needed to fill high growth, in-demand jobs, and/or aligned with AccelerateMS priority sectors and occupations. Funding must be used to train employees in skills necessary for the operation of the business, or to support subsidized on- the-job training for net new full-time jobs created, or reskill existing full-time employees to enhance competitiveness, or to train unemployed or underemployed individuals. M S W o r k s grants should be used in conjunction with existing training funds through coordination with the state’s Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, Mississippi Workforce Enhancement Training funds, and other funding to maximize resources. A. Eligible Benefitting Businesses should align with high-growth target industry sectors, as identified by the Mississippi Development Authority (MDA), or AccelerateMS priority sectors and occupations. The Benefiting Business shall create or enhance at least 10 net, full-time, permanent jobs, and the strong employee retention is essential. AccelerateMS will not commit funds towards training for any job that is known to be short-term (a year or less, nor will future funds be committed toward training for a Benefitting Business that has a poor history of job retention; B. Eligible Training Activities: • Training targeting significantly underemployed individuals’ or current employees in skills necessary for the operation of the business or to enhance competitiveness; • Training aimed at targeting unemployed individuals, to build a work-ready applicant pool that supports employer and industry demand. • Funding may also be used by AccelerateMS to coordinate local workforce delivery and outreach or planning to meet needs of economic development activity. C. Equipment purchases for private sector businesses to be purchased by or for an approved public entity and owned by the approved public entity may be approved.