Allowable Use of Funds

Allowable Use of Funds. MS Works Funds may only be utilized for the training of unemployed or underemployed persons, for immediate training needs for the net new jobs created by an employer, for the retention of jobs, to create a work-ready applicant pool of Mississippians with credentials and/or postsecondary education in accordance with the state’s Workforce Investment and Opportunity Act plan, or for the support of local economic and community development activities related to workforce development in the state. Requirements for Use of Funds: A. Project cycles run for a maximum of 36 months, beginning with the date of the first hire or, in the case of retention or reskilling projects, the application date. After 36 months, the project must be closed, unless an extension is granted. AccelerateMS may recommend a longer performance period for a project at the time AccelerateMS is making a commitment to a project. B. MS Works Funds should be used as part of an overall workforce training funding plan that maximizes the value of workforce funds available from other sources, including but not limited to local, state, or federal sources. Applicants must disclose state or federal funds sought or awarded for workforce training. C. MS Works Fund grants shall be available for, but not limited to, high growth industry sectors as designated by MDA, and/or AccelerateMS priority sectors and occupations; D. Applicants may request administrative cost recovery and AccelerateMS may approve on a case-by-case basis. Administrative costs will be capped at two percent (2%) but may be negotiated up to a maximum of five percent (5%) based on the justifiable costs associated with each project. E. Priority for training shall be given to improving the skills of unemployed and underemployed individuals. AccelerateMS will take wage rates into consideration when making a determination on the amount of grant funds made available to the Benefitting Business. Higher wage rates are a factor in Mississippi’s recruitment of industries and as such will be a factor in the determination of how MS Works Funds are allocated. F. Local workforce delivery coordination and outreach may only be initiated by AccelerateMS based on specific needs of the office. G. Allowable training activities: 1. These funds shall place a special emphasis and priority on skill enhancement and related assessments such as nationally recognized credentials and certifications. 2. Non-production training wages should only make up a portion of the overall training plan. Reimbursable wages must not include benefits and may be reimbursed at a maximum of 50%. 3. Personnel contracted to implement or teach courses, workshops, and/or seminars must have a contract on file with the partnering entity performing the activities. 4. Costs associated with apprenticeships or internships. 5. Vendor Training /Train the Trainer expenses to include tuition or registration fees, and eligible travel expenses. 6. Cost associated with the development and delivery of customized training. 7. Training in operational strategies to improve efficiency of business operations connected to an expansion is allowed. 8. MS Works grants may be used for Lean Manufacturing training, only to match the contribution to the cost of such training made by the company or group of companies. 9. Educational training including, but not limited to: workplace literacy, basic skills, soft skills, and English as a second language may be included as a portion of the training plan. 10. Registration fees of participants enrolling in training 11. Participants stipends are to be utilized for unemployed Mississippians for training programs with a documented regional need. Training programs must have documented employer partners committed to interviewing trainees for current, available jobs. 12. Similar expenses may be approved by AccelerateMS on a case-by-case basis.