The Southwest Georgia Area Workforce Investment Board (SWGA-WIB) announced it will receive $1.8 million in funds for youth services as part of the 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) stimulus initiative.

The funds will be used to provide summer work-experience to eligible youth, ages 14-24, in the following counties served by the SWGA-WIB: Seminole, Decatur, Early, Miller, Calhoun, Terrell, Lee, Doughtery, Baker, Mitchell, Grady, Worth, Colquitt and Thomas.

The additional funding will allow SWGA-WIB to target industries under the Georgia Department of Labor’s 2009 Summer Training and Employment Program-Unlimited Potential (called STEPUP for short). The program design provides career awareness and work experience in “Green Jobs,” focusing on science, technology, energy and professionalism.

Executive Director Chuck Fields said, “I am excited about the opportunity to offer youth a viable summer work-experience that will have region-wide economic impact.”

Youth interested in applying for summer jobs should visit www.swgaarra.org Web site to locate where to obtain an application.